ENTERTAINMENT | CULTURE | DANCE

A Historic Night at Lincoln Center

Tonight, American Ballet Theatre (ABT) raises the curtain on a once-in-a-generation celebration as Misty Copeland takes her final bow. In a sold-out gala performance at New York’s David H. Koch Theater on October 22, 2025, Copeland returns to the stage for a farewell tribute marking the culmination of her 25-year journey with the company. Fans, fellow dancers, and cultural luminaries have flocked to Lincoln Center to honor a ballerina who made history as the first Black woman to be named principal dancer in ABT’s 75-year history. The atmosphere brims with emotion and excitement, as this evening promises to be both an emotional swan song and a triumphant victory lap for an artist who forever changed the face of ballet.

From Humble Beginnings to Stardom

Misty Copeland’s rise to ballet superstardom reads like a modern fairy tale. Born in Kansas City, Missouri and raised in San Pedro, California, Copeland grew up in near poverty, even experiencing periods of homelessness as a child. She discovered ballet relatively late, at age 13, training at a local Boys & Girls Club, yet her talent was so prodigious that she caught up with peers who had been dancing since preschool. Under the guidance of a dedicated mentor, she earned a scholarship to study ballet, and within just a few years Copeland was rising through the ranks at ABT. In 2001, at only 19, she joined ABT’s corps de ballet; by 2007 she was a soloist, poised for even greater heights.

Copeland’s breakthrough came in June 2015, when she made a triumphant New York debut in the dual role of Odette/Odile in Swan Lake at the Metropolitan Opera House. Just days after that electrifying performance, which drew a diverse, exuberant audience to see a Black ballerina in the ballet’s most iconic role, Copeland was promoted to principal dancer. It was a landmark moment: her promotion, announced not quietly in a rehearsal studio but at a packed press conference, underscored her status as a game-changer in the arts. After decades with no Black women in its top ranks, ABT had finally broken a barrier. In Copeland, a generation of young dancers of color saw a barrier shattered and a new possibility embodied.

Iconic Roles: Firebird and Swan Lake

On stage, Copeland has proven time and again that she is a singular talent capable of commanding the grandest classical roles. One of her defining performances came in 2012, when she was entrusted to lead Alexei Ratmansky’s high-octane revival of The Firebird. Still a soloist at the time, Copeland became one of three ballerinas cast in the title role, making it her first leading role with ABT. She threw herself into the part of the fiery mythical bird with fearless commitment, even dancing opening night on a fractured shin, and delivered a performance lauded for its power and passion. The Firebird proved to be Copeland’s star-making turn, announcing that a new kind of ballerina had arrived. “A monumental experience, after wrangling the Firebird, Copeland grew exponentially as an artist,” one critic noted, capturing how that role transformed her career.

If Firebird was the spark, Swan Lake was the full blaze of Copeland’s brilliance. In June 2015, she undertook the dual role of the White Swan and Black Swan in ABT’s Swan Lake, a part often dubbed the Mount Everest of ballet for the technical and emotional range it requires. Copeland’s Swan Lake debut in New York was nothing short of historic,ABT had never before featured a Black ballerina in the lead of this classic. Her performance earned standing ovations and made headlines around the world. It was not only a personal triumph for Copeland, showcasing her lyrical grace as Odette and her dramatic fire as Odile, but also a cultural milestone. That night at the Met, luminaries of earlier generations like Raven Wilkinson and Lauren Anderson (pioneering Black ballerinas who paved the way) were in attendance, underscoring the significance of the moment. Copeland’s Swan Queen was a crowning achievement that cemented her status as a ballerina who could command the most revered roles on the grandest stages. It also poignantly symbolized how far the art form had come, and how far it still must go, in embracing diversity.

Breaking Barriers and Changing Ballet Culture

Beyond her daring feats on stage, Misty Copeland’s legacy is equally defined by the barriers she broke and the inspiration she sparked. When she was promoted to principal dancer in 2015, it was a moment of triumph not just for her but for countless dancers and fans who had long yearned to see ballet’s upper echelons open up. Copeland became an outspoken ambassador for inclusion in a traditionally white and insular ballet world. With poised eloquence, she has used her platform to advocate for diversity in dance companies and ballet schools, emphasizing that talent exists in every community if given a chance to flourish.

Copeland’s impact on pop culture has been just as profound. She has proven that a ballerina can be both a classical artist and a modern icon. In 2015, she appeared on the cover of Time magazine as one of the “100 Most Influential People,” hailed for “shattering stereotypes” of what a ballerina should look like. That same year, toy giant Mattel released a Misty Copeland Barbie doll in her likeness, complete with a bright red Firebird costume, so that young girls of color could see themselves represented in the world of ballet. Copeland has authored best-selling books, including the memoir Life in Motion: An Unlikely Ballerina, in which she shares her story of overcoming adversity. She’s also written children’s books (her debut Firebird won a Coretta Scott King Award) to inspire kids to dream big. From starring in a viral Under Armour athletic ad that declared “I Will What I Want,” to making guest appearances on TV and even in a Disney film, Copeland has become that rare dancer whose influence transcends the stage. She is, as ABT noted in a recent tribute, a true cultural icon, a ballerina who has crossed over into mainstream celebrity while maintaining her artistic integritychicago.binnews.com.

The Grand Farewell Gala

All of these threads, the groundbreaking artistry, the cultural significance, the personal journey, come together in tonight’s farewell performance. American Ballet Theatre has pulled out all the stops to ensure Copeland’s final outing with the company is an unforgettable event. Billed as “A Celebration Honoring Misty Copeland,” the gala features a specially curated program drawn from Copeland’s most celebrated repertoire. True to form, Copeland isn’t simply bowing out with a single ballet – instead, she will perform in select highlights that showcase the range of her talent. One moment to watch will be a passionate pas de deux from Romeo and Juliet, with Copeland reprising the role of Juliet, one of her personal favorites, in the classic balcony scene. It’s a fitting choice: Juliet’s youthful ardor and depth of feeling mirror the intensity Copeland has brought to her real-life role as a barrier-breaker in ballet. The program will also include the elegant Sinatra Suite, among other pieces, performed by Copeland and her ABT colleagues.

The star power in the theater tonight rivals any Hollywood premiere. A host of distinguished guests have gathered to pay homage to Copeland’s legacy, including entertainment icon Oprah Winfrey and dance legend Debbie Allen, both of whom have been ardent supporters of Copeland’s rise. Their presence, alongside luminaries of the ballet world, underlines how Copeland’s influence has resonated far beyond the rarefied realm of dance. The gala has essentially become the hottest ticket in town: tickets sold out quickly, leading ABT to set up a free live simulcast at Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall to accommodate the overflow of fans eager to witness this historic night. Long lines formed this afternoon for the first-come, first-served seats at the simulcast – a testament to the excitement and admiration that surround Copeland. It’s exceedingly rare for a ballet dancer’s farewell to warrant a public screening at a second venue; that ABT took this step speaks to Copeland’s singular ability to draw new audiences to ballet and to generate buzz like a true headline star.

Backstage, the evening carries a mix of celebration and bittersweet emotion. For Copeland’s fellow dancers, many of whom she has mentored and inspired, this gala is a chance to say thank you and goodbye to a beloved colleague who blazed a trail for others to follow. For the broader community of ballet aficionados and admirers, it’s an opportunity to show gratitude for the doors she has opened. “Misty Copeland is not only an extraordinary artist, but also an extraordinary woman and leader,” says Caryn Campbell, executive director of the Misty Copeland Foundation. “She has inspired generations, and through her vision off the stage, she is building something that will last for generations to come.” Indeed, Copeland’s influence will continue through her foundation’s youth scholarships and diversity programs, as well as her producing work to bring dance to broader audiences. Though she is stepping away from ABT, Copeland has made it clear she is not retiring from dance entirely. At 43, she’s hinted that new chapters lie ahead, perhaps in choreography, teaching, or other creative pursuits – even as she leaves the spotlight of the ABT stage. “It’s time for me to move to the next stage,” Copeland told the Associated Press of her decision to retire from the company, noting that this farewell is her way of saying “thank you” to the institution that nurtured her career.

A Legacy that Will Endure

Misty Copeland instagram: @Mistyonpointe

As the lights dim and Misty Copeland steps onto the stage tonight, it will be a moment heavy with meaning. In the audience will be young dancers of color who have traveled miles for a glimpse of their idol, longtime ballet patrons who never imagined they’d witness a Black ballerina reigning at America’s national ballet company, and generations of colleagues who know just how much strength and perseverance underlie Copeland’s polished grace. When the final bows are taken, Copeland will leave the ABT stage having achieved more than most dancers dare to dream, ballerina, role model, groundbreaker, icon. Her farewell is both a celebration of how far she has come and an invocation of the future she has made possible for others.

Misty Copeland’s name will forever be linked with the word “first”: the first Black female principal at ABT, the first Black Swan Queen on that storied stage, the first ballerina of her generation to attain genuine pop culture stardom. But as she takes her final curtsey, she does so knowing that she will not be the last. The path she forged will remain, inviting those coming up behind her to walk, or dance, further into a more inclusive and imaginative ballet world. In an art form defined by legacy and tradition, Copeland has created a legacy all her own. Tonight, under the grand lights of Lincoln Center, that legacy is taking a glorious final bow with American Ballet Theatre, and the reverberations of this moment will be felt for years to come. 👓

Misty Copeland’s Final Bow: ABT Gala Celebrates a Trailblazing Ballet Icon