BIO
AMBER BARBEE PICKENS
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proud Dallas native and Texas Young Master of the Arts, Amber Pickens is a powerhouse performer, visionary creator, and passionate artivist whose impact spans stage, screen, and community. A graduate of Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing & Visual Arts and The Juilliard School (BFA in Dance), Amber’s journey has been shaped by elite training at institutions like Debbie Allen Dance Academy, Alvin Ailey, Camp Broadway, and Martha Graham — alongside acting masterclasses with luminaries including Bill Duke , Tasha Smith, and Anthony Abeson.
After Juilliard, Amber leapt into the spotlight on Broadway for Cirque du Soleil's Paramour leading to many productions such as Don't Bother Me I Can't Cope directed by Savion Glover and The Wiz directed by George Faison. She received Chita Rivera Award for her electrifying performance in The Wrong Man, created by the innovative minds behind Hamilton. One of Amber's favorite roles was portraying Josephine Baker in the American Repertory Theater's The Black Clown, based on Langston Hughes' poem. She quickly transitioned to film, bringing her unmatched expertise as choreographer and movement coach to Rebecca Hall’s critically acclaimed Passing, starring Tessa Thompson and Ruth Negga. Hall praised Amber’s “gusto, skill, and sensibility,” noting her gift for balancing historical authenticity with passionate flair.
On television, Amber has delivered unforgettable performances on Law & Order: SVU, Wu-Tang: An American Saga, Harlem Godfather, Bronx SIU, and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, showcasing her dynamic range across genres.
Amber’s global fashion influence began when French Vogue reached out to feature her in an exclusive editorial spread for Christian Dior alongside world-renowned dancers Les Twins. The striking collaboration garnered international attention and ultimately led to her inclusion in the Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams exhibition—a globally touring showcase celebrating Dior’s enduring legacy. Amber’s presence in the exhibition represents a powerful fusion of fashion, dance, and culture on the world stage.
A committed advocate for the arts, Amber uses her voice to champion cultural equity and investment in creative industries. She lobbied at the Texas Capitol for SB22: legislation resulting in a $500 million boost to the state’s film incentive program, amplifying the importance of arts funding in building vibrant, inclusive communities. As a featured author at the Dallas Literary Festival, she brought her children's book Blooming in Motion to life during a special story time for hundreds of young readers, igniting imaginations and honoring Black history in dance.
Amber also hosts Kickback & Chat with Amber Pickens, a groundbreaking digital talk show spotlighting the creative journeys of today’s most inspiring artists, from behind-the-scenes brilliance to red carpet breakthroughs. Featuring guests like Spike Lee, Cedric The Entertainer, Serena Williams, Michael B. Jordan, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Janet Hubert, and Corey Hawkins, the show is a celebrated platform recognized by the National Newspaper Publishers Association and the National Association of Black Journalists. Kickback & Chat has also led to her become a contributor for magazines such as Upscale and Southern Dallas Living and Business.
Her artistic reach extends into self publishing, where she is both author and illustrator of Blooming in Motion, a vibrant coloring book that celebrates twenty Black pioneers in the dance world including the Nicholas Brothers, Debbie Allen, Janet Collins, Katherine Dunham, Alvin Ailey, Josephine Baker, and Eartha Kitt, Pearl Primus, Arthur Mitchell, and Carmen de Lavallade!
Trailblazer Debbie Allen shared, “I am so proud to be included in Amber’s Coloring Book. It is very important that young black and brown girls see images of themselves that they can celebrate.”
Blooming in Motion is featured at major retailers nationwide such as the African American Museum of Dallas and The Academy Museum in Los Angeles. Penguin Random House tapped her to be one of a illustrator of Rise Up, a reflective and empowering coloring book for adults that offers a celebration of Black voices, culture, and history. Amber chose to illustrate cultural icons who are also her personal heroes: Bryan Stevenson, Chadwick Boseman, Maya Angelou, Harriet Tubman, Priscilla Shirer, and John Lewis.
As co-founder and president of the Juilliard Black Alumni Association (JBAA), Amber is a force for equity in education and the arts. Under her leadership, JBAA has launched transformative outreach, mentorship, and scholarship initiatives, including a fundraising luncheon celebrating Wynton Marsalis. Recent events include a private screening and discussion with Viola Davis for her film G20, Audra McDonald for Broadway's Gypsy, and a Fall Mixer celebrating Janet Hubert.
Amber Pickens is not just an artist, she is a trailblazer, a cultural advocate, and a transformative force whose fearless artistry and leadership are reshaping the future of entertainment and beyond.
