Donald McKayle (born July 6, 1930, New York City) is an African American modern dancer, choreographer, teacher, director and writer best known for creating socially conscious concert works during the 1950s and 60s that focus on expressing the human condition and more specifically, the black experience in America. He was, "Among the first black men to break the racial barrier by means of modern dance,". His talents extend beyond the concert stage as McKayle has also performed and choreographed for Broadway musicals, theatre, television, and film. He has worked with many choreographers such as Martha Graham, Alvin Ailey, Anna Sokolow, and Merce Cunningham. A Tony Award and Emmy Award nominee, McKayle is currently a Professor of Dance, Modern Technique and Choreography, at UC Irvine, in the Claire Trevor School of the Arts Dance Department. He has served on the faculties of Connecticut College, Sarah Lawrence College, and Bennington College.
Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Choreographer
Nominations
Tony Award for Best Choreography, Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical, Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Choreography
Star Sign
Cancer
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Fact
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Has been nominated for Broadway's Tony Award five times: four times as Best Choreographer: in 1965 for "Golden Boy," in 1974 for "Raisin," in 1975 for "Doctor Jazz" and in 1981, shared with 'Henry le Tan' and Michael Smuin, for "Sophisticated Ladies;" and as Best Director (Musical) in 1974 for "Raisin." He has yet to win.
Miscellaneous
Title
Year
Status
Character
Private Debts
1989
Short choreographer
The Jazz Singer
1980
choreographer - as Don McKayle
The 31st Annual Primetime Emmy Awards
1979
TV Special choreographer
Cindy
1978
TV Movie choreographer
The Richard Pryor Special?
1977
TV Special choreographer
The 49th Annual Academy Awards
1977
TV Special choreographer
Minstrel Man
1977
TV Movie choreographer
Free to Be... You & Me
1974
TV Movie choreographer
The New Bill Cosby Show
1972
TV Series choreographer
Bedknobs and Broomsticks
1971
choreographer
The Great White Hope
1970
choreographer
Dick Van Dyke and the Other Woman
1969
TV Special choreography
TCB
1968
TV Movie choreographer
Soul
1968
TV Movie choreographer
Ten Blocks on the Camino Real
1966
TV Movie choreographer
Actor
Title
Year
Status
Character
Touched by an Angel
2000
TV Series
Wilbur
The Cosby Show
1985
TV Series
Ralph
...And Beautiful
1969
TV Movie
Leader - Dance Troupe
On the Sound
1962
Short
The boy
Director
Title
Year
Status
Character
Good Times
1974
TV Series 3 episodes
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
The New Dance Group Gala Historical Concert: Retrospectives 1930s - 1970s
2008
Video
Himself
Great Performances: Dance in America
2001
TV Series
Himself
The Hollywood Palace
1969
TV Series
Himself
Nominated Awards
Year
Award
Ceremony
Nomination
Movie
1977
Primetime Emmy
Primetime Emmy Awards
Outstanding Achievement in Choreography
Minstrel Man (1977)
Known for movies
Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971) as Miscellaneous Crew
The Jazz Singer (1980) as Miscellaneous Crew
The Great White Hope (1970) as Miscellaneous Crew
Free to Be... You & Me (1974) as Miscellaneous Crew
$10 Million
