Misty Copeland, the first Black woman to reach the title of principal dancer with the prestigious American Ballet Theatre, discusses the importance of diversity in ballet, ballet as activism, creating opportunities, mentorship, and arts education.
Misty Copeland emphasizes the need for early and equal access to the arts to improve diversity and inclusion in ballet through her foundation.
Misty Copeland reflects on the changes happening in ballet today, with greater awareness of health, body positivity, and a broader repertoire that embraces various dance styles.
Misty Copeland discusses her role as an activist within the arts and the importance of mentorship and creating supportive circles to inspire and empower the next generation.
Deep dives
Ballet as Activism and Inclusion
Misty Copeland, the first black woman to reach the title of principal dancer at the American Ballet Theatre, discusses the importance of being a black dancer in a predominantly white art form as a form of activism. She emphasizes the need for early and equal access to the arts and highlights her work to improve diversity and inclusion in ballet through her foundation. Misty points out the progress made in increasing the presence of black professional ballet dancers and the shift away from the art form's historically white past.
Challenging Ballet Standards
Misty Copeland addresses the historical biases and standards within ballet, such as limited representation of diverse bodies and Eurocentric aesthetic expectations. She shares how she personally dealt with these issues and mentions the influence of Arthur Mitchell, the founder of Dance Theatre of Harlem, in making black dancers feel seen and welcomed. Misty reflects on the changes happening in ballet today, with greater awareness of health, body positivity, and a broader repertoire that embraces various dance styles.
Art Activism and Mentorship
Misty Copeland discusses her role as an activist within the arts and how being a black dancer is inherently an act of activism. She emphasizes the importance of mentorship and creating supportive circles to inspire and empower the next generation. Misty also talks about her production company's mission to make ballet inclusive and accessible through media, such as their short film 'Flower,' which addresses housing issues in the Bay Area. She advocates for the integration of arts education in public schools, highlighting the broader benefits it brings to child development and overall education.
Expanding Career Horizons
Misty Copeland shares her experiences branching out beyond the world of ballet, including her work in production and athletic wear. She emphasizes the significance of stepping outside of one's comfort zone and taking opportunities that may be outside traditional expectations. Misty also underscores the importance of support systems and acknowledges the obligation to extend mentorship to the next generation. Despite challenges facing arts funding, she remains optimistic and committed to the ongoing work of diversifying and expanding access to the arts.
Importance of Openness to Art
Misty Copeland encourages people to be open to different forms of art and to embrace experiences outside their comfort zones. She emphasizes the power of art in fostering empathy, compassion, and personal growth. Misty highlights the importance of having diverse perspectives and life experiences in creating and delivering meaningful art. She encourages artists to live full lives and draw from a wide range of experiences to fuel their artistic expression.
Misty Copeland is the rare ballerina who's recognizable well beyond the world of ballet. In 2015, she became the first Black woman to reach the title of principal dancer with the prestigious American Ballet Theatre. Throughout her career, Misty has spoken out about being one of the few Black dancers on the professional stage, and why early and equal access to the arts is so important. Through her foundation, she’s trying to connect more young people to ballet through after-school programs.
Niala Boodhoo spoke to Misty this week about forging new paths in an old art form, and why that matters for equity and inclusion beyond the stage.
Credits: 1 big thing is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Alexandra Botti, and Jay Cowit. Music is composed by Alex Sugiura. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com. You can send questions, comments and story ideas as a text or voice memo to Niala at 202-918-4893.
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