SEPTEMBER 2004

Cultural Ambassador Debbie Allen traveled to Beijing, Nanxia, and Shanghai in The Peoples Republic of China in September. This was her first trip as CultureConnect Ambassador.

Ms. Allen is one of the best-known performing arts stars in the United States. When she visited the Peoples Republic of China for a week of Master Classes, interviews, and mentoring, she became known to millions of Chinese as well.

Debbie Allen made many friends in China and increased Chinese understanding of American culture. To continue her newly formed mentoring relationships, Ms. Allen offered to bring talented Chinese dancers to the U.S. for participation in programs at her school, the Debbie Allen Dance Academy.

Ms. Allen spoke to audiences at events and in interviews about her own experience overcoming prejudice as the U.S. as a nation was working to end discrimination. She spoke directly to the students, sharing her experiences as an American.

Ms. Allen's visit was also reported thoughtfully in the press, which is interested in American personalities with a unique stories.

The Chinese media covered the story of Ms. Allen's visit in detail. Shanghai's Dragon TV, a government-owned television station, broadcasted an interview with her on their show Citybeat to over 1,200 cities around China on Saturday, September 11. The show also aired on China Business Network the next evening, reaching approximately 100 million viewers.

The Shanghai Morning Post published an article about her visit and her life entitled "Twenty-five minutes, from Broadway to Oscar." The article reviewed Ms. Allen's professional and personal achievements, her family, her close relations with her Chinese counterparts, and finally why dancing is such an important part of her life.

Dance is a thriving art form in China, and Debbie Allen was already well known to Chinese audiences. Meeting and dancing with students at dance schools, she found that students demonstrated their appreciation for seeing her in person.

Ms. Allen's interest in Chinese culture included the latest Chinese hit film in the Muslim Autonomous Region of Ningxia.

See Debbie Allen's lively Master Classes with Chinese dance students in her CultureConnect photo gallery here.