Dallas City Council Pauses Funding for Dallas Black Dance Theatre Amid Dancer Firings and Union Dispute

The Dallas City Council has temporarily withheld funding for the Dallas Black Dance Theatre, citing concerns over the recent firing of dancers and the ongoing dispute with the American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA), the union representing the terminated performers. The decision has sparked a heated debate, with both sides presenting their arguments and the city council grappling with the complex issues at hand.

Uncovering the Controversy: Dancer Firings and Union Efforts

Dancer Firings and Union Efforts

Earlier this year, the Dallas Black Dance Theatre fired ten of its main-company dancers, citing a social media video as the reason. However, the AGMA, which represents the fired dancers, claims the firings were a result of the dancers' efforts to unionize and demand better working conditions. The dancers had unanimously voted to unionize in May, seeking a living wage, improved working conditions, and a more stable management structure.

City Council's Concerns and Funding Pause

The Dallas City Council's Quality of Life, Arts and Culture Committee voted 5-2 to approve funding allocations to 55 Dallas-based nonprofit arts groups, but decided to temporarily withhold roughly 8,000 in funding for the Dallas Black Dance Theatre for the 2024-25 fiscal year. This decision came after local labor advocates, fired dancers, and a union organizer with the AGMA urged the council to withhold the funding.

Conflicting Narratives and Allegations

The Dallas Black Dance Theatre's board president, Georgia Scaife, denied the union-busting allegations against the company, stating that the organization is prepared to negotiate a collective bargaining agreement with the AGMA. However, the fired dancers, led by Terrell Rogers Jr., painted a different picture, describing a lack of a living wage, substandard and dangerous working conditions, and an "extreme command-and-control-style management" that has led to instability within the company.

Investigating the Firings

The Inspector General Division of the City Attorney's Office recently released a 348-page report investigating the firing of dancers earlier this year. The report includes a timeline of events surrounding the firings, as well as evidence such as termination letters, the dance company's handbook, and interviews with fired dancers, union representatives, and Scaife.

Council Members' Perspectives

The Dallas City Council members expressed a range of perspectives on the issue. Some, like Zarin D. Gracey, acknowledged the dance company's important history and community impact, while also empathizing with the dancers. Others, like Adam Bazaldua, argued that the city needs to hold institutions accountable, stating that there are no "sacred cows" in Dallas.

The Way Forward

The National Labor Relations Board is currently reviewing unfair labor practice charges filed by the AGMA against the Dallas Black Dance Theatre. The council has indicated that it will be awaiting the NLRB's decision, but has also urged the dance company's board to take immediate action to address the concerns raised by the community. A committee under the Arts and Culture Advisory Commission will meet on November 7 to reconsider the funding allocation, with the Quality of Life, Arts and Culture committee set to discuss the advisory group's feedback on December 3.

The Legacy and Significance of Dallas Black Dance Theatre

The Dallas Black Dance Theatre was founded in 1976 by Ann Williams, nearly a decade after the Civil Rights Movement. It marked a time when dance was an exclusionary space for Black performers, given the ongoing scrutiny and discrimination against Black communities. The company's history and impact on the local arts scene have not gone unnoticed, with council members acknowledging the importance of preserving its legacy.