Pioneering ballet dancer Misty Copeland on diversity and what’s next for her
As she retires from American Ballet Theatre, where she was its first black principal dancer, Misty Copeland talks about ongoing challenges
Ten years ago this month, Misty Copeland sat in front of a hastily arranged news conference fighting back tears of pride over her new role: principal dancer for New York’s American Ballet Theatre (ABT) company.
“This is it,” she said, with emotion. “This has been my dream since I was 13.”
The occasion was highly unusual. Normally, when a dancer is promoted, a brief press release is issued. But this was Copeland, a crossover star with fame beyond the insular world of ballet. And now she was becoming the first black female principal in the company’s history – just days after her New York debut as the lead in Swan Lake brought a refreshingly diverse, packed audience to the Metropolitan Opera House.
Now, a decade and many accomplishments later, Copeland is retiring from the company she joined as a teenager.
“It’s been 25 years at ABT, and I think it’s time,” said Copeland, 42, last week. “It’s time for me to move to the next stage.”
The company is planning a splashy farewell on October 22, featuring performances by Copeland at New York’s Lincoln Centre – for the first time in five years – and other dancers. There will be speeches and film clips.