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Misty Copeland, Hopefully ABT’s First Black Principal Dancer, Debuts In ‘Swan Lake’

By JenniferP
Published on: 03:42 PST, Jun 25, 2015

Many have been hoping that Misty Copeland will make history and will become the American Ballet Theatre’s first black principal dancer, and after last night’s performance, Copeland may just be able to do it.

Misty Copeland made her debut in New York last night. The 32-year-old Copeland was dancing the lead role of “Swan Lake.”

Copeland was performing the lead role of Odette/Odile, which the Wall Street Journal refers to as “one of the most significant in the classical ballet repertory, requiring a range of emotions—from crushing sorrow to steely seduction—and virtuoso technique.”

So how was Copeland’s performance received? Quite frankly, it couldn’t have gone better.

While the crowd openly cheered for Misty, Copeland also received support from some pretty important people.

At curtain call, Copeland was joined onstage by two other history-making dancers, Lauren Anderson and Raven Wilkinson. Copeland was greeted by the two dancers with hugs and curtsies by Anderson, the first black principal dancer in Houston’s ballet company, and Wilkinson, who danced with “the famed touring company Ballets Russes de Monte Carlo in the 1950s.”

Who else was a fan of Misty Copeland’s performance? The editor of Dance Magazine, Wendy Perron.

According to the New York Times, Perron said, “I was especially impressed by her Odette. She completely inhabited the role. She was able to show that vulnerability.”

Damian Woetzel, director of the Vail International Dance Festival, referred to Misty Copeland’s “Swan Lake” performance as “a long overdue milestone in ballet.”

Woetzel then added, “With elegance and seriousness, Misty made a historic breakthrough. It was an honor to be there.”

But most importantly, Misty’s fans were there to support her. Wednesday’s performance was sold out and created “a scene on Lincoln Center’s plaza,” as fans of all ages gathered.

One young fan, 12-year-old Raychel Jackson, said, “I look up to her.”

While Misty Copeland had performed this same role in “Swan Lake” before, this was still a momentous event. Copeland, who has been a soloist for American Ballet Theatre, performed the role this summer while touring on Australia, and even performed as a guest for the Washington Ballet.

But it was Wednesday night’s performance in the home of the American Ballet Theatre, the Metropolitan Opera House, that has many believing that Misty Copeland is one step closer to becoming the ABT’s first black principal dancer.

[Photo Courtesy of Gaia Health]

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