EXCLUSIVE: Misty Copeland on overcoming adversity, fighting for diversity in ballet

Posted in Articles, Arts, Interviews, Media Archive, United States on 2016-03-11 01:23Z by Steven

EXCLUSIVE: Misty Copeland on overcoming adversity, fighting for diversity in ballet

The State
Columbia, South Carolina
2016-03-09

Erin Shaw


Misty Copeland Provided photo

  • The prima ballerina talks body image and being named the first black woman principal dancer
  • Copeland comes to Columbia for a ballet fundraiser with Elgin native Brooklyn Mack

There was time when Misty Copeland, one of the world’s most recognizable dancers, felt lost and insecure. That was before being named the first black principal ballerina for a major ballet company, before the Under Armour sponsorship, the book deal and the documentary on her life.

Copeland, 33, who is a source of inspiration for young women, minorities, dancers and athletes, will share her story in Columbia on Tuesday, March 15 at a fundraising luncheon for Columbia Classical Ballet and Columbia City Ballet. She will be joined by Brooklyn Mack, the Elgin native who now dances for The Washington Ballet and is also breaking barriers as a black dancer…

What are some of the topics you plan to discuss when you come to speak in Columbia?

Copeland: I think it’ll be a sharing of our experiences and opening people’s eyes up to the lack of diversity in ballet, and for me what it is to be a part of a company where you’re the only black woman. (Brooklyn and I) are both proof of success in the classical ballet world. It should be an organic conversation…

Read the entire interview here.

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Misty Copeland, Brooklyn Mack coming to Columbia

Posted in Articles, Arts, Media Archive, United States on 2016-01-21 02:17Z by Steven

Misty Copeland, Brooklyn Mack coming to Columbia

The State
Columbia, South Carolina
2016-01-19

Erin Shaw


Misty Copeland

The principal ballerina and former Columbia dancer to speak at ballet fundraiser

Misty Copeland, one of the most famous ballerinas in the country, will appear in Columbia with professional ballet dancer and South Carolina native Brooklyn Mack for a fundraiser benefitting two of the city’s ballet companies.

Columbia Classical Ballet and Columbia City Ballet are jointly organizing a March 15 luncheon, for which costs and profits will be split evenly among both companies.

Copeland and Mack will speak about the arts at the ticketed event, which will have seating available for the public.

…Copeland has danced for American Ballet Theatre — one of the top companies in the country — since 2000, when she was the only African American woman in a company of 80 dancers.

In June 2015, she was promoted to principal dancer, making her the first African American woman to ever be promoted to the position in the company’s 75-year history…

Read the entire article here.

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