Allyne D. Gartrell, Director of Dallas Black Dance Theatre second company is a native of Atlanta Georgia. Allyne brings twenty years of experience to the art of dance. A graduate of the Dekalb Center for the Performing Arts in Atlanta, Allyne attended Florida A & M University on an Instrumental Music Scholarship and later attended Florida State University as a Dance major.
As a dancer, Allyne has worked with Joel Hall Dance Theatre, Ballethnic Dance Company, Ballet Wisconsin, City Ballet Theatre, and for seven years he was one of the lead male dancer for the internationally known Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, where he served as company instructor and rehearsal director for DCDC II. While at DCDC Allyne danced the ballets of Alvin Ailey, Donald McKayle, Talley Beatty, Ulysses Dove and Donald Byrd. Broadway credits include: The Wiz, A Chorus Line, Sophisticated Ladies, and Crown in Porgy & Bess. Allyne also served as assistant to the Tony Award winning choreographer, Hope Clark for the production of Porgy & Bess which premiered at the Kennedy Center for the Arts.
Recognized as one of the top master teachers in the country, Allyne has become known for his high energy and physically demanding jazz and modern classes. His pulsating choreography has been featured with several dance companies to include Dallas Black Dance Theatre, Lula Washington Dance Theatre, Milwaukee Dance Connection, Dayton Contemporary Dance Company and Orchesis Contemporary Dance Theatre of Grambling State University. In 2006, Allyne choreographed the world premiere ballet, Primary Movements, in collaboration with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra with an original score composed by composer Jonathan Bailey Holland.
Allyne has been recognized for his work in the community and promotion of the dance art form. He is a member of the International Association of Black in Dance, National Performing Arts Guild and has served as scholarship chair for the Black College Dance Exchange.
A highly respected technique teacher in the disciplines of ballet, modern and jazz, Allyne currently serves as Rehearsal Director for Dallas Black Dance Theatre.