After more than two decades of breaking barriers and inspiring generations, Misty Copeland has announced her retirement from the American Ballet Theatre (ABT).
The 42-year-old ballerina, who made history in 2015 as the first Black woman to be named principal dancer at American Ballet Theatre (ABT), will give her final performance with the company on October 22 in a farewell production of Romeo and Juliet.
“It’s been 25 years at ABT, and I think it’s time,” Copeland said in an interview with the Associated Press. “It’s time for me to move to the next stage.”
Copeland’s farewell will be marked by tributes from luminaries including Oprah Winfrey and Caroline Kennedy, underscoring the cultural significance of her career and contributions.
While she is stepping away from ABT, Copeland is not saying goodbye to dance entirely.
“It won’t be the end of me dancing,” she noted. “Never say never.”
Beyond the stage, Copeland has built a legacy of advocacy, representation, and empowerment. She is the author of several bestselling books, the founder of The Misty Copeland Foundation, and head of her own production company focused on increasing diversity in the arts.
“Through her books, through her lectures, even her endorsements, she has really been a trailblazer,” said ABT Artistic Director Susan Jaffe. “She changed what people believed was possible in classical ballet.”
Copeland herself acknowledged the limits of performance alone, stating:
“There’s only so much I can do on a stage.”
Her post-retirement plans will likely continue her mission to transform ballet and the broader cultural landscape.
