Misty Copeland Leaves the Stage, But Her Work for Inclusion Is Just Beginning
After 25 years with the company, Misty Copeland is retiring from the American Ballet Theater.
Her departure from the company she joined as a teenager, where she became ballet’s most prominent crossover star, is a significant moment, but it isn’t completely surprising. At 42 years old, she has spent the last five years away from the Lincoln Center platform, dedicating her time to raising her son with her husband, Olu Evans, and working with her foundation.
This foundation focuses on promoting diversity, equity and inclusion in dance, an especially challenging mission right now.
Copeland will give her final performance with ABT on October 22nd, and the company is organizing a splashy farewell celebration. It will feature speeches and film clips, and Copeland, who has played a key role in the planning, will have the opportunity to dance one last time, performing the exquisite pas de deux from Romeo and Juliet. Caroline Kennedy and Oprah Winfrey will serve as honorary chairs for the evening.
The event will commemorate the conclusion of an extraordinary and unexpected career.
Copeland faced many challenges growing up in Southern California, often dealing with homelessness as her mother struggled to provide for her and her five siblings. She eventually found solace and stability through dance, although she began her serious training at age 13, which is considered late for aspiring ballerinas.
Despite the historical obstacles faced by people of color in the traditional world of classical dance – ballet, introduced to the French court in the late 17th century, largely remained unchanged from its elite European origins, and Black dancers were often excluded from top training and professional opportunities until the mid-20th century —in 2001, Copeland joined ABT, and after 15 years of dedication and hard work, she made history as the first Black woman to become a principal dancer with the company.
“It’s been 25 years at ABT., and I think it’s time,” Copeland told the Associated Press last week ahead of Monday’s official announcement of her transition. “It’s time for me to move to the next stage.”
Much has happened over the last 25 years of Copeland’s successful career, and her achievements have brought fresh energy to the art form. She has authored several books, including a memoir and various titles aimed at younger readers. The second installment of her Bunheads series is set to launch in September, with additional works planned to highlight the diverse cultures and individuals within the ballet community while mirroring her own experiences.