Copeland will dance the role of Clara, the Princess, in three performances choreographed by ABT artist-in-residence Alexei Ratmansky. “The Nutcracker” is the first full-length ballet Copeland appeared in onstage — an experience that she calls “magical.” Returning to Southern California is no less so, she said in this edited conversation. I think the fact that me, a black woman, is what has kind of introduced a lot of people to the ballet world is huge. It’s definitely forced a lot of ballet companies to address the issue of the lack of diversity. The ballet world is so secluded and lives in this bubble, and it’s easy to get away with a lot.

Source: Los Angeles Times December 04, 2017 23:03 UTC