
Hope Clarke
- Date of Birth: 1941-03-23
- Place of Birth: Washington, D.C
Biography
Hope Clarke is an American actress, dancer, vocalist, choreographer, and director. Clarke performed as principal dancer with the Katherine Dunham Company and the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, 19... Hope Clarke is an American actress, dancer, vocalist, choreographer, and director. Clarke performed as principal dancer with the Katherine Dunham Company and the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, 1960s; actress on stage, film, and television, 1970s–1980s; choreographer and director, 1980s--. Clarke served on the Tony Awards Nominating Committee for the 2011–12 Broadway season. Clarke made history in 1995 when she became the first African American, as well as the first African-American woman, to direct and choreograph a major staging of the opera-musical Porgy and Bess. Clarke's production of the George Gershwin classic was staged in celebration of the work's 60h anniversary, and it toured not only major American cities but Japan and Europe as well. Clarke drew critical acclaim for her commitment to staging the show as a monument to African-American community and pride, giving a more hopeful, positive aura to a story that has been criticized for its stereotypes. As for the director herself, the success of Porgy and Bess is just the latest accolade in a long career devoted to dance and drama.

Good Times
Comedy • 1974 February

Three's Company
Comedy • 1977 March

Hill Street Blues
Drama, Crime • 1981 January

What's Happening!!
Comedy • 1976 August

Law & Order
Crime, Drama • 1990 September

Law & Order
Crime, Drama • 1990 September

Law & Order
Crime, Drama • 1990 September

The Jeffersons
Comedy, Family • 1975 January

The White Shadow
Drama, Family • 1978 November

Beat Street
Drama, Music • 1984 June