Misty Copeland Bids Farewell to American Ballet Theatre, Leaving an Enduring Legacy
Misty Copeland's career serves as the blueprint for generations of dancers in years to come.“Misty Copeland and Herman Cornejo, American Ballet Theatre, Swan Lake, June 17, 2017” by Kent G Becker, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Misty Copeland, the first Black female principal dancer with the American Ballet Theatre, gave her farewell performance at Lincoln Center on Oct. 22, marking the end of a groundbreaking chapter in one of the world’s premier ballet companies. Copeland’s performance demonstrates the continuation of a trailblazing legacy that reshaped the classical dance style.
Copeland, 42, joined American Ballet Theatre in 2000 and made history in 2015 when she was promoted to principal dancer as the first Black woman to hold the position in the company’s 75-year history.
Over more than two decades, she became one of the most visible and influential figures in ballet, celebrated for her athletic strength, emotive artistry and role in diversifying a traditionally exclusive art form.
Her farewell performance, attended by a packed house of fans and admirers alike, was both a celebration and a reflection of her career and character. For many young dancers of color, Copeland represents a shift toward greater inclusivity in classical dance institutions that have historically lacked diversity on stage and behind the scenes.
“I’ve watched generations and generations and I have relationships with a lot of these dancers, Black and brown, who weren’t given an opportunity like I have. So I feel a responsibility being in this position that it’s not just about going on stage and performing, though that’s extremely important to have representation in that space,” Copeland said in an interview with Associated Press.
“But for me to do everything I can to show what I’ve gained by being a part of this art form and the importance of diversity, the importance of having representation,” Copeland added. “It’s amazing to have these things that are an extension of who I am as a ballerina.”
Beyond her performances in productions like “Swan Lake” and "The Nutcracker,” Copeland has extended her influence beyond the stage. She is the author of several books, including her memoir “Life in Motion: An Unlikely Ballerina,” and has become an advocate for access to arts education.
Through her books and her nonprofit work with the Misty Copeland Foundation, she has sought to make ballet training more inclusive, particularly for children in under-resourced communities.
“The reason I agreed to having the farewell performance was because I wanted to say thank you ... [to] the dance community, the Black community, all the people that have spent their hard-earned money and flown from their hometowns and come to support me,” Copeland said in an interview with NPR. “What I represented is something far bigger than me, and I've always known that.”
Copeland’s impact continues to resonate in an era where conversations about representation and inclusion in the arts remain essential and relevant. Her legacy and work are the blueprint for the dance world, inspiring the next generation of dancers and artists.