Misty Copeland is performing with American Ballet Theatre one last time.
The trailblazing ballerina and principal dancer will take the stage at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center in New York City on Wednesday night alongside her ABT peers for a special program as she bids farewell to the dance company.
Copeland's final performance, which will take place during ABT's Fall Gala and will be simulcast during a presentation held at Alice Tully Hall the same night, will mark the ballerina's return to the stage after a five-year hiatus.
In an Instagram video she shared earlier this month announcing the news of her final performance, Copeland called the moment a "meaningful" one and said the free simulcast is "about sharing this experience with the community that has supported me throughout my entire 25 year career with American Ballet Theatre."
In the post's caption, she added, "This farewell is a celebration of everyone who has been part of my journey, and I want to share it with as many of you as possible."
Copeland first joined the ABT Studio Company -- ABT's junior company -- in 2000, joining ABT as a member of the corps de ballet the following year. In 2005, she was promoted to soloist.
In 2015, Copeland became the first African American woman promoted to principal dancer in ABT's 85-year history.
Since becoming a principal dancer, Copeland has inspired many with her artistry and used her platform to raise awareness about increasing representation in ballet.
"When people think of ballet, they say, 'Oh, it's the most pure dance form.' But they often relate 'pure,' they connect that to 'white,'" she told "Good Morning America" in a 2021 interview.
She continued, "Dance exists in every culture, every age, you come out of the womb dancing and singing. And I think it's the most natural thing that you can do. And so to exclude entire communities and races from it, I think it's just doing that a disservice."
She added, "Dancers aren't often allowed, or given a space to be able to use our voices, you know? We're in a silent art form, and are often silenced. I've really taken on that responsibility in that role in using my voice to share the realities of the ballet world, the beauty of it, but also the things that need to grow and change."
Tickets to attend the free ABT Fall Gala simulcast in person are available now and are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
