Ballet Dancers of Color

By Masio Sangster
Racism

● Even though there were black dancers, since it was

a time where segregation was happening most
ballet dancers of color were not getting accepted
into companies.
● Black face
● Harlem dance clubs !
Raven Wilkinson
● First African-American to join a ballet company
● Had to appear white
● Dutch National Ballet
● Russ de Monte Carlo
Misty Copeland

● Started very “late”- age 13

● First African- American on the American Ballet Theatre
● Was constantly rejected
● Lead role of Firebird
Dance Companies
● Dance theatre of Harlem
● Lula Washington Dance Theatre
● Forces of Nature
Videos