Vanoye Aikens

Vanoye William Aikens, also known as Van Aikens, was an American dancer and actor. He was known for his work with fellow dancer Katherine Dunham, with whom he danced internationally on stage and screen.

Biography

Aikens was born in Georgia on 27 November 1922. He attended Morehouse College but was unable to complete his degree due to financial issues. He went on to serve in the U.S. Navy.
Afterwards, he traveled to New York City, where Katherine Dunham Company dancer Lenwood Morris encouraged him to audition for the dance troupe. He joined the troupe as a student in 1943. He went on to perform on Broadway with the company through the 1940s and 1950s, as well as tour through United States, Europe and South America until the troupe disbanded in 1963.
After the dance group was disbanded, Aikens briefly worked in film as an actor, singer, and dancer. He then taught dance as a lecturer at the Danshögskolan in Sweden, as well as in Germany and Spain until the mid-1980s. Later, he returned to the United States, where he worked with Katherine Dunham and the Alvin Ailey Dance Company in Los Angeles.
Aikens died in Los Angeles on August 24, 2013. He is buried in Jonesboro, Georgia.