Loretta Abbott

Loretta Agatha Abbott (March 1, 1933 – May 6, 2016) was an American educator, dancer, choreographer, singer, director, dance captain, and actress.

She graduated from Hunter College in New York City, and had a short career as a kindergarten teacher in Harlem at Public School 90.

[5] In 1960, she appeared in the Lenox Hill Playhouse production of Howard Richardson and William Berney's Dark of the Moon, directed by Vinnette Justine Carroll.

At the Clark Center for the Arts, Ms. Abbott was able to work with many aspiring choreographers, such as Walter Nicks, Talley Beatty, Geoffrey Holder, Eleo Pomare, Fred Benjamin, Donald McKayle, and Al Perryman.

Abbott performed in numerous theatrical productions, including Two Gentlemen of Verona, Raisin, Porgy and Bess, Amen Corner, and Liza with a Z.

[1] She worked with many choreographers and dancers, including Fred Benjamin, Jean-Léon Destiné, George Faison, Martin Gordon, Louis Johnson, John Parks, Al Perryman, Michael Peters, Carmen de Lavallade, Abdel Salaam, Otis Sallid, Paul Sanasardo, and Andy Torres.

Abbott worked as a choreographer, a dancer, and guest lecturer with the Avodah Dance Ensemble in New York City.