top of page

Scroll this timeline and journey through the life and career of Lauren Anderson. See how she has blazed a trail through dance to become an important part of American history.

lauren

through the years

Photo: Geoff Winningham

August 30, 1983

Lauren joins the Houston Ballet.

​

December 1983

First Sugar Plum Fairy

​

1987

Lauren becomes a soloist for the Houston Ballet.

​

1989

First Sleeping Beauty

First Les Sylphide

1980's

1990

Lauren becomes Principle dancer for the Houston Ballet, making her the first African American Principle dancer of a major ballet house in the United States.

​

Wins Special Jury Award in IV USA International Ballet Competition, Jackson Mississippi.

​

1992

First Cinderella

​

September 1993

First Swan Lake

​

February 1994

Don Q (World Premiere)

​

1998

First Las Sylphide

​

1999

Appears on the cover of Dance Magazine (April).

​

Cleopatra (World Premiere)

1990's

Photo: Drew Donovan

Photo: Pam Frances

November 2000

Appears on the cover of People Magazine in an article titled, "Pigskin Pavlova".

​

2001

Appears on A&E's "Breakfast With The Arts".

​

Appears on game show, "To Tell the Truth".

​

April 30, 2003

Lauren's son, Lawrence is born.

​

2006

Lauren retires from the Houston Ballet.

​

2009

Lauren retires from dancing.

2000's

2016

Lauren's ballet shoes are inducted into the Smithsonian Museum of African American History and Culture.

​

The City of Houston proclaims October 5, 2016 Lauren Anderson Day.

​

2017

Lauren receives the Texas Medal of Arts Award in Dance

​

2018

Lauren receives the Barbara Jordan Breaking Barriers Award.

​

Lauren appears in TUTS production of the Broadway musical “Memphis” in a walk-on-role.

2010's

Photo: Owen Conflenti

7705B6A3-CE53-4CC4-8984-D3FA6B476603.JPG

Photo: 

2020

Inducted into the Texas Women’s Hall of Fame.

​

2022

Lauren Anderson Young Dancer Scholarship Fund.

​

Debut of Plumshuga: The Rise of Lauren Anderson.

​

2023

Lauren Anderson Dance Studio at Ucross.

​

2020's

bottom of page