LOS ANGELES — Being admired as a dancer, choreographer, teacher and leader is no easy feat. But having a very unique style and approach to dance is what set Lula Washington apart from the rest of the dance world very early on in her career.

“I've always wanted to express dance that was reflective of the black experience in the United States and abroad," Washington said. "My work has always been reflective of themes and issues. Things that are happening around the world, as well as things that were happening right around my corner, and in the streets that I live on.”

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Washington graduated from UCLA with a master's degree in dance and decades later, received the school's community service award. But neither came easily.

“Lula initially was turned down to get into UCLA. And she had to appeal," said her husband, Erwin. "And she wrote a letter and said, ‘If you let me in, I'll work really hard to do well.’ And she became probably one of the more successful people ever to go to the dance department. So the Chancellor gave Lula the highest award that they can give at UCLA.”

Washington started her dance company in 1980 because she felt there were very few places in Los Angeles that were doing the type of dance she was interested in.

“For me personally through the eyes, it's a way for me to share ideas that other people might be a little hesitant about saying,” Washington said.

She incorporates the dance styles of modern, classical ballet, theatrical, and hip hop, while drawing from strong political issues and social commentary. 

“I wasn't creating modern dance to beautiful music to run around on the stage, doing 'la la la.' My stories have always been stories that to me had meaning. I think one person has called my work 'movement with a purpose,'” Washington said.

That purpose has included powerful and sometimes controversial dance pieces over the past four decades about issues like the Rodney King verdict, gangs, and violence. While many people have praised her statement dances, others have gotten up and walked out of the theater.

“I said, 'Well, it’s touching people, and whether or not they choose to be exposed to it is their choice.' But this is a reality for many. It’s honesty and it’s truth,” said Washington.

Her community engagement and activism have earned her numerous awards and honors and the hallways of the dance theater, which she runs with husband Irwin, are like walking through a history book of great black performers. 

“I wanted to have the studio be like a museum. So I wanted to have paintings and pictures on the wall so the kids can walk through," Washington said.  

Leahnora Castillo has been taking classes and performing at the studio since she was seven years old.

“Their main motto is, 'It takes a village to raise a child.' And that's really how I spent my years here. And this is my 13th year at Lula Washington,” said Castillo.

To celebrate its 40th anniversary, Lula Washington Dance Theatre has three performances at the Wallis Annenberg Center in Beverly Hills from January 30 through February 1.  

The Lula Washington Dance Theatre is also one of the founders of the International Association of Blacks in Dance; an organization which provides access to artists of color and gives them a chance to see other dance groups that they would not otherwise be able to see. 

For more information about the Lula Washington Dance Theater and Dance School: lulawashington.org