American Ballet Theater’s Fall Gala: A Celebration Honoring Misty Copeland

As part of American Ballet Theater’s landmark 85th anniversary season, Misty Copeland curated a special program dedicated to her legacy. Through a blend of dance and video, the evening traced her journey from her earliest influences to her defining performances and rise to Principal Dancer, and ultimately to her impact beyond the stage – as a cultural leader, advocate, and inspiration to the next generation.

Her story is woven into the broader tapestry of ABT’s history, celebrating the past while looking boldly toward the future. The program included performance excerpts from Kenneth MacMillan’s “Romeo and Juliet,” Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov’s “Swan Lake,” George Balanchine’s “Theme and Variations,” and Twyla Tharp’s “Sinatra Suite,” alongside “Wrecka Stow,” a World Premiere by Kyle Abraham.

After the show, guests joined Misty on the promenade for dinner and, of course, more dancing. Guests included Oprah Winfrey, Brooks Nader, Iman, Gayle King, Jordan Roth, Elizabeth Segerstrom, Marisa Tomei, Star Jones, Rebecca Minkoff, and more.