Two-time Emmy Award and Golden Globe winner Debbie Allen visited USC to present a theatrical screening of her recent film “100 Years of Debbie Allen,” which explores her career as a dancer, choreographer and actress in lead productions “Fame,” “A Different World” and “Grey’s Anatomy.”
Following the screening was a conversation and Q&A session moderated by Dean of the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance Julia M. Ritter. The session ranged from Allen’s favorite moment with late rapper Tupac, attacks on HBCUs and her favorite books for creative inspiration.
The film chronicled Allen’s life and legacy as a dancer, dating back to her childhood. Allen described experiencing racism as a young dancer and being denied access to dance spaces because she was Black. She said her mother would tell dance instructors she was Hispanic so she could attend classes. Allen credited her parents as a driving force in helping her pursue creative arts during a challenging time period.
“My mom knew I wanted to dance and she did everything she could to make that possible. She paid attention to who my siblings and I were as people, so I have high praise for mothers and fathers who understand and love their children,” Allen said.
The film celebrated the 25-year anniversary of the Debbie Allen Dance Academy (DADA) and its profound impact on youth.
Allen encouraged audience members to forge their own creative identities and be receptive to criticism. She believes that criticism is an indication of impactful artistry.
“You have to remember that the impressionist artists were called heretics. You can’t be afraid of criticism because sometimes that means you’re really doing something good,” Allen said. “So you have to stay in your own lane of creativity — whatever that is. Otherwise, you’re just replicating what somebody else is doing.”
Allen described how DADA is committed to being a safe and inclusive space for disenfranchised communities and young people. Through performing arts initiatives, she hopes to empower artists to go after their dreams.
“The space is so important, and we have created so many initiatives,” Allen said. I started a class for transgender youth. This class is a space for them to feel safe and learn.”
Allen described the challenges of raising funds for her dance studio with the current attacks on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives by the Trump Administration. Despite this challenge, Allen is confident her dance studio will continue to produce talented artists who will make an impact in the creative arts industry.
“It’s very difficult to raise money right now. When writing a grant, you can’t say Black, brown or disabled,” Allen said. “I hope that we can continue to produce fantastic dancers who go out in the world and become successful. We’ve had some of our young people start their own shows on Netflix, perform on Broadway, and start nonprofits. We just want to continue to raise the bar for our students.”
The film explored how Allen struggled to afford a physical space for DADA. Hollywood director and screenwriter Shonda Rhimes gifted Allen a 24,000-square-foot space — affectionately known as the Rhimes Performing Arts Center — where DADA now lives.
During the Q&A, Allen was asked how she approaches raw and honest storytelling when choreographing and directing productions. Allen was candid as she described her investment in research and being a student of her craft.
“I’m [currently] working on something big and to be successful doing what that is, I’ve had to read four books,” Allen said. “When people ask me to do something, it can’t just be steps or movement. What is the story? And how do you tell the story? So study and be curious.”
Looking forward, Allen said she is currently directing an August Wilson play. Allen will be honored as a 2025 Dance Magazine Award honoree on December 8, 2025.