VOLUME 3 • ISSUE 1

HENRY
LETANG


Click on the sections to view the information

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