“Get involved in your creativity”.

That was the message US award-winning dancer, actress, choreographer, producer/director Debbie Allen hammered home to students during her visit to Dellwood Middle School yesterday.

Miss Allen, whose successes include the role of the dance instructor in both the film and TV show, ‘Fame’, was invited to address the students by their drama and arts teacher Mrs. Sheryll Ricardo, who is rehearsing them for their own production of ‘Fame’ in the Spring.

“Dance is one of the most creative things in the world to be part of,” she said. “I have travelled the world because of my love of dance. In my life the arts have changed everything about who I am and what I can be in the world.”

As one of many questions requiring a show of hands, Miss Allen named a variety of countries, and asked the students how many of them they would like to visit.

With Brazil and Africa among the favourites, she said, “Well, dance is the reason I have gone to all of those places, so get involved in the art of music, dance, or drama.”

Noting that she had only begun her formal dance training at age 13, the owner of her own dance academy also told the youngsters that it was not too late for them to think about training. “Dance is the universal language on the planet,” she stressed.

“In Beirut they were hip-hopping. Dance and the arts is a language which transcends race, politics, religion, economics. It is a culture, and something that belongs to all people.”

Noting that the pursuit of any art form can open other doors, Miss Allen said her success as a dancer led her to become a director of such TV shows as ‘Everybody Hates Chris’ and ‘Fresh Prince of Belair’, as well as composing and writing.

“If you dance or get involved in the arts you are getting involved in your creativity. This is a God-given talent that every one of you has.

“When you leave today I want you to think about where you are in the world, and how you are going to create in this world. If your creativity brings you success then you will be able to help so many people.”

Prior to her talk, Mrs. Ricardo’s drama students staged a short excerpt from ‘Fame’, which clearly charmed the distinguished visitor.

“Oh, that’s me”, Miss Allen exclaimed when the student portraying her role of the dance instructor delivered her opening lines.

Although her visit was brief, it may not be the dancer’s last. For when she learned that the children did not know how to crump — “a kind of a fight dance” — she promised to return to Bermuda to teach them.

Meanwhile, the multi-talented Miss Allen, who was accompanied by her daughter, dancer Vivian Nixon, graciously accepted a Bermuda cedar desk organiser from the school, saying, “Oh, this is beautiful. I really need this.”