HENRY
LETANG
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NAME
Henry Letang
Also known as Dr. Henry Letang
BORN:
Henry Christian Letang
19th June, 1915
Harlem, New York, USA
PROFESSION
Dancer, choreographer, master dance teacher
FAMILY
PARENTS:
Clarence LeTang (Roseau, Dominica) and Marie LeTang née Martin (St. Croix, USVI)
SIBLINGS:
Eril (deceased), Lucille (deceased), Edith LeTang-Douglas, and Richard (deceased)
SPOUSES:
Evelyn LeTang née Keyes (1908–90), 1937–51 divorced
Elma LeTang née Jimenez (1934–65), 1955–65 died
Ellie LeTang née Epps (1940–2002), 1966–2002 died
CHILDREN:
Avis, Henry Jr. and Jon LeTang
EDUCATION
| DEGREES: | |
| 2003 | Honorary Doctor of Performing Arts in American Dance from the Ann Lacy School of American Dance and Arts Management and the Robert L. Reed Tap Heritage Institute, Oklahoma City University, Oklahoma, USA |
CAREER
| THEATRE | |
| 1927 | Dancer with the Abe Lyman Band |
| 1928 | The Brown Skinned Models Review |
| 1941 | Choreographer, Crazy With The Heat, 44th Street Theatre, New York City, New York, USA |
| 1943 | Assistant choreographer, My Dear Public, 46th Street Theatre, New York City, New York, USA |
| 1944 | Choreographer, Dream With Music, Majestic Theatre, New York City, New York, USA |
| 1952 | Choreographer, Shuffle Along, Broadway Theatre, New York City, New York, USA |
| 1978 | Choreographer, Eubie!, Ambassador Theatre, New York City, New York, USA (1978–79) |
| 1979 | Choreographed the Tin Man’s Slide Some Oil To Me in The Wiz, Broadway Theatre, New York City, New York, USA |
| 1981 | Choreographer, Sophisticated Ladies, Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, New York City, New York, USA (1981–83) |
| 1985 | Choreographer, Bingo, Amas Musical Theater, New York City, New York, USA, (1985–86) |
| 1987 | Choreographer and performer in Stardust, Biltmore Theatre, New York City, New York, USA |
| 1989 | Choreographer and performer in Black & Blue, Minskoff Theatre, New York City, New York, USA, (1989–91) |
| TELEVISION | |
| 1940’s | Choreographer, The Gary Moore Show (7 years in the 1940’s) |
| 1950 | Choreographer, The Jerry Lewis Telethon (1950s–2001) |
| 2001 | Choreographer Bojangles, HBO |
| FILM | |
| 1984 | Choreographer and performer, Cotton Club, |
| 1989 | Choreographer, Tap, |
| 1997 | Still Kicking: The Fabulous Palm Springs Follies, documentary |
AWARDS
| 1979 | Drama Critics Award for Eubie! |
| 1981 | 32nd Outer Critics Circle Awards: Best Choreography for Sophisticated Ladies |
| 1989 | Tony Award: Best Choreographer winner along with Cholly Atkins, Frankie Manning, and Fayard Nicholas for Black and Blue |
| 1991 | Drama-Logue Award: Director for Stardust |
| 1995 | Flo-Bert Award for the advancement of the art of tap through teaching and choreography |
| 2002 | American Choreography Awards: Educator Award winner |
| 2003 | American Choreography Award |
| A Living Treasure in American Dance Award, Ann Lacy School of American Dance and Arts Management and the Robert L. Reed Tap Heritage Institute, Oklahoma City University |
NOTABLE
| Discovered renowned dancer Savion Glover | |
| Taught many well-known performers including Lena Horne, Betty Hutton, Gregory Hines, Debbie Allen, and Sugar Ray Robinson | |
| 1930 | Opened first dance studio at age seventeen |
| 2000 | Established the Tap program at Oklahoma City University |
DIED
26th April, 2007
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Natural causes