Lauren Anderson Biography

Lauren Anderson, a native Houstonian, danced with Houston Ballet from 1983 to 2006, playing main parts in all of the great classical ballets, touring the world to critical acclaim, and becoming one of the company's most adored performers. Anderson joined Houston Ballet's education department in January 2007, where she teaches ballet classes at the Ben Stevenson Academy, gives master classes at local schools, and gives lectures to students about dance and her historic career as one of America's most illustrious African-American ballerinas. She began her ballet training at the Ben Stevenson Academy of Houston Ballet when she was seven years old. She joined Houston Ballet in 1983 and was the first African-American to be promoted to the main dancer in 1990, making her one of the few African-American ballerinas in the world to lead a major ballet company. Anderson also won the Special Jury Award and the International Critics Award in Chile at the 1990 International Ballet Competition. Ms. Anderson has performed as a guest artist all around the world. Anderson performed in all of the classical ballets as a principal dancer. George Balanchine, Sir Kenneth MacMillan, Christopher Bruce, James Kudelka, Trey McIntyre, and Stanton Welch AM were among the choreographers whose works she performed recently. Anderson played Cleopatra in Ben Stevenson's Cleopatra, and her portrayal as Cleopatra was praised by reviewers across the world. The New York Times' Anna Kisselgoff likened her to the famous Italian actress Eleanora Duse, while The Boston Globe's Christine Temin called her a "powerhouse" in portraying Stevenson's character. Anderson was featured on the cover of Dance Magazine in April 1999. She has also been in the magazine's People and Pointe, as well as on the television shows A&E Breakfast With the Arts, CBS News Sunday Morning, and To Tell the Truth. Ms. Anderson has earned several honors and has been acknowledged by various organizations. Her dedication to the dance industry earned her the Texas Medal of Arts Award in 2017. The Harris County Democratic Party presented Ms. Anderson with the Barbara Jordan, Breaking Barriers honor. She is a proud mom of Lawrence Turner and an honorary member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

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