Grew up mainly in Washington, DC, and New York after moving several times as a child due to his father's military career.
Made his Broadway debut at 16 as the Scarecrow in The Wiz.
Won a Tony Award and an Astaire Award for his performance in the Broadway production of The Tap Dance Kid, although he had only taken up tap dancing three years prior.
Created a hybrid of dance styles known as swop (swing and hip-hop) that was featured in the film Idlewild (2006), which Battle choreographed.
Founded the Hinton Battle Theatre Laboratory, a nonprofit that brings theater performances to ethnically and economically diverse audiences.
Hinton Battle
November 29, 1956 - February 1, 2024 (aged 67)
Neubrücke, West Germany
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Bio
Grew up mainly in Washington, DC, and New York after moving several times as a child due to his father's military career.
Made his Broadway debut at 16 as the Scarecrow in The Wiz.
Won a Tony Award and an Astaire Award for his performance in the Broadway production of The Tap Dance Kid, although he had only taken up tap dancing three years prior.
Created a hybrid of dance styles known as swop (swing and hip-hop) that was featured in the film Idlewild (2006), which Battle choreographed.
Founded the Hinton Battle Theatre Laboratory, a nonprofit that brings theater performances to ethnically and economically diverse audiences.