American Ballet Theater on Thursday announced promotions for six soloists, elevating them to the role of principal dancer despite an empty live performance schedule for the fall and a difficult financial situation because of the pandemic. Among the new principal dancers is Calvin Royal III, 31, who is the third Black dancer to be elevated to this role in the company’s history, after Desmond Richardson and Misty Copeland. The other new principals are Joo Won Ahn, 26; Aran Bell, 21; Skylar Brandt, 27; Thomas Forster, 34; and Cassandra Trenary, 27. Gabe Stone Shayer, 26, a member of the corps, has been promoted to soloist. The dancers will receive raises with their promotions but, like the rest of the company, are not being paid the same as they would be in a normal season.

Source: New York Times September 10, 2020 15:00 UTC