Copeland, Misty Danielle
1982- · Contribution: 2001-2025
Ballet Dancer
First African American woman promoted to principal dancer in American Ballet Theatre's 75-year history
Portraits are AI-generated interpretations, not photographs.
Quick facts
- Born
- 1982
- Active since
- 2001
- Category
- Arts, Music & Entertainment Tech
- Best known for
- First Black woman principal at ABTLate start at 13Lead in "The Firebird"
Impact on the world
Copeland broke ballet's highest color barrier at one of the world's premier companies, proving a Black woman could reach the pinnacle of the art. Her visibility reshaped who imagines themselves in ballet.
Sources
- Britannica
4 more sources and references are available to members.
Related visionaries
Jamison, Judith Ann
1943-2024
Alvin Ailey's principal muse and star dancer for 15 years; succeeded him as artistic director of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater for 21 years, becoming the first African American woman to lead a major modern dance company
Mitchell, Arthur
1934-2018
First African American principal dancer at a major ballet company; founded Dance Theatre of Harlem in 1969, the first major Black classical ballet company in the United States
Allen, Debbie (Deborah Kaye)
1950-
Tony-winning choreographer and dancer who served as principal choreographer of 'Fame'; founded the Debbie Allen Dance Academy in 2001, training thousands of young dancers regardless of financial background
Robinson, Cleo Parker
1948-
Founded the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble in 1970, building it into a major Denver-based dance institution now in its sixth decade; studied directly under Katherine Dunham and Arthur Mitchell, already profiled in this collection