Misty Copeland takes final bow with American Ballet Theatre
Misty Copeland has hung up her pointe shoes at American Ballet Theatre.
The trailblazing ballerina and principal dancer took the stage at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center in New York City on Wednesday night alongside her ABT peers for a special program as she bid farewell to the famed dance company.
Copeland's final performance, which took place during ABT's Fall Gala and was simulcast during a presentation held at Alice Tully Hall the same night, marked the her return to the stage after a five-year hiatus.
Among the pieces she performed were a pas de deux from "Romeo & Juliet" and choreography set to the songs "That's Life" and "My Way" by Frank Sinatra.
That star-studded event was attended by several notable guests including Oprah Winfrey, Debbie Allen, Phylicia Rashad, Jim Parsons and more.
During her curtain call, several guests, including Winfrey, presented her with flowers. She was also surprised onstage by her husband and son.
In an Instagram video she shared earlier this month announcing the news of her final performance, Copeland called the moment a "meaningful" one and said the free simulcast is "about sharing this experience with the community that has supported me throughout my entire 25 year career with American Ballet Theatre."
In the post's caption, she added, "This farewell is a celebration of everyone who has been part of my journey, and I want to share it with as many of you as possible."
Copeland first joined the ABT Studio Company -- ABT's junior company -- in 2000, joining ABT as a member of the corps de ballet the following year. In 2005, she was promoted to soloist.
In 2015, Copeland became the first African American woman promoted to principal dancer in ABT's 85-year history.
Since becoming a principal dancer, Copeland has inspired many with her artistry and used her platform to raise awareness about increasing representation in ballet.
"When people think of ballet, they say, 'Oh, it's the most pure dance form.' But they often relate 'pure,' they connect that to 'white,'" she told "Good Morning America" in a 2021 interview.
She continued, "Dance exists in every culture, every age, you come out of the womb dancing and singing. And I think it's the most natural thing that you can do. And so to exclude entire communities and races from it, I think it's just doing that a disservice."
She added, "Dancers aren't often allowed, or given a space to be able to use our voices, you know? We're in a silent art form, and are often silenced. I've really taken on that responsibility in that role in using my voice to share the realities of the ballet world, the beauty of it, but also the things that need to grow and change."
At ABT's Fall Gala on Wednesday night, Copeland told WABC that the company and her career in ballet "gave me everything."
"This career gave me the life that I have, it's made me the person that I am, and, you know, everything that I do is connected to dance, connected to ballet," she said. "And how it's enriching people's lives, how it can bring people together and create community ... that, to me, is what it's given to me. So that's what I want to continue to do."
Below, see some of the stars who attended Copeland's final performance with ABT.
Debbie Allen and Phylicia Rashad
Oprah Winfrey
Nicole Ari Parker
Iman
Marisa Tomei
Alfre Woodard
