Stephanie Dabney

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Stephanie Dabney (July 11, 1958 – September 28, 2022) was an American dancer and a prima ballerina with the Dance Theatre of Harlem from 1979 to 1994. Born in Philadelphia and raised in Youngstown, Ohio, she began ballet at age 4. After seeing the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, she decided to pursue dance professionally. She joined Dance Theatre of Harlem as an apprentice in 1975 (initially billed as Stephanie Baxter) and later became Stephanie Dabney.

Her breakthrough came when she premiered in John Taras’ version of The Firebird, earning rave reviews. Dabney and the company later performed The Firebird around the world and at the opening ceremony of the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. She danced a wide repertory, including works by Balanchine, Glenn Tetley, Nijinska, and Arthur Mitchell.

In 1990, Dabney was diagnosed with HIV. She retired from performing in 1996 and taught ballet at Spelman College after leaving the stage. Dabney passed away on September 28, 2022, in a New York City nursing home from cardiopulmonary arrest at age 64.