June has been a hu-ge month for Misty Copeland. The groundbreaking ballerina danced the leads in both Swan Lake and Romeo and Juliet, making her New York and career debuts in the respective roles. But today, the 32-year-old has officially made history with her promotion from American Ballet Theatre soloist to the company’s first ever first African-American female principal dancer.
Copeland’s promotion is a long awaited and much needed expansion of racial diversity in ballet’s highest ranks in one of the United States’ leading classical companies. As the Wall Street Journal reported this morning, not only does more diverse star power lead to a wider range of hopefuls lacing up pointe shoes, it directly impacts audience engagement: “‘When she’s on, the audience is totally diverse,’ said Judith Jamison, artistic director emerita of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. ‘This is what happens when you give people opportunity to do things they are capable of doing.'”
The only thing we’re bummed about is that Copeland (who released her New York Times bestselling memoir Life in Motion: An Unlikely Ballerina last year) isn’t with the New York City Ballet; the company announced last week that its annual fall gala will feature costumes by Opening Ceremony, Marques’Almeida, and Oscar de la Renta among other designers. While it would be unreal to see Copeland croisée in some frayed and faded denim number, we’re psyched to watch her shine no matter what color her tutu.
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Text Emily Manning
Image via Flickr User Kent G Becker