Antonio Douthit-Boyd
In 2023, Antonio Douthit-Boyd earned his MFA in Dance from Hollins University. Subsequently, in the same year, he assumed the role of Professor of Practice of Dance within the renowned Performing Arts Department at Washington University. Notably, Douthit-Boyd currently holds the position of Artistic Director of Dance at the Center of Creative Arts (COCA), an organization where he initially embarked on his dance journey at the age of sixteen under the tutelage of Lee Nolting. Following a rewarding dance career in New York City, Douthit-Boyd returned to COCA, reaffirming his enduring connection to his hometown. His formative training included the Alexandra School of Ballet, North Carolina School of the Arts, Joffrey Ballet School, San Francisco Ballet School, and Arthur Mitchell’s Dance Theatre of Harlem School. Douthit-Boyd joined the Dance Theatre of Harlem Company in 2000 under the tutelage of Arthur Mitchell, propelling him into prominent roles within choreographed pieces by luminaries such as George Balanchine, including “The Four Temperaments,” “Agon,” and “Serenade.” Further significant contributions encompassed his participation in productions including “Fancy Free,” “South African Suite,” “Dougla,” “Concerto in F,” “Return,” and “Twist.” Within three years, he ascended to the rank of Soloist in 2003. Douthit-Boyd’s trajectory ascended as he embarked on a twelve-year tenure as a principal artist with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in 2004. Over this period, he was privileged to perform works by internationally acclaimed choreographers such as Alvin Ailey, Judith Jamison, Robert Battle, Wayne MacGregor, Jiri Kylian, and Paul Taylor. His artistic prowess garnered commendation from esteemed publications, including The Sun, Dance Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, and The New York Times. In their praise, they observed, “Among the many superb dancers of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Antonio Douthit-Boyd has recently risen to a special magnificence.” Douthit-Boyd’s expertise also extends to his status as an ABT® Certified Teacher, a credential attained following the rigorous ABT® Teacher Training Program encompassing Pre-Primary–6/7 and Partnering through the ABT® National Training Curriculum. In 2021, Douthit-Boyd and his spouse, Kirven Douthit-Boyd, were honored with the Excellence in the Arts Award by The St. Louis Arts and Education Council. Their collective accomplishments as dance educators were further recognized in 2022 when they received the prestigious Dance Teacher Magazine Award.