Episode Transcript
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Presented by American Ballet Theatre, the Misty Copeland
Foundation and Lincoln Center American Ballet Theatre, ABT,
the Misty Copeland Foundation and Lincoln Center for the
Performing Arts are honored to announce that Misty Copeland S
historic farewell from ABT at the company S Fall Gala will be
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streamed live to Alice Tully Hall on Wednesday, October 22nd,
2025. This free simulcast invites the
public to share in an extraordinary evening
celebrating one of ballet's mosttransformative artists.
Hundreds of complimentary tickets will be distributed on
the day of the event beginning at 4:00 PM at the Alice Tully
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Hall Box Office. Tickets will be available on a
first come, first served basis with a limit of two per person.
The simulcast will begin at 6:15PM.
Misty Copeland, a trailblazer who became the first African
American woman promoted to principal dancer in a B TS-85
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year history, has inspired millions worldwide with her
groundbreaking artistry. This gala performance marks her
return to the stage after five years, when she will dance
alongside her ABT peers in a specially curated program.
While she is bidding farewell toa BT, Copeland is not retiring
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from dance. Beyond her artistic triumphs,
she is a cultural icon, best selling author, and passionate
advocate for equity in the arts.Through the Misty Copeland
Foundation S Signature B Bold program, she has dedicated
herself to ensuring that ballet is affordable, accessible and
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fun for children of all backgrounds to experience the
transformative power of dance. A/B TS Fall Gala lead
underwriter is the Ford Foundation and sponsors are
Brown Brothers, Harriman and Dior.
The evening will feature specialtributes from Oprah Winfrey and
Debbie Allen, who will honor Copeland live on stage at the
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David H Cook Theatre, recognizing her extraordinary
impact on arts and culture. In addition, celebrities and
cultural leaders including KatieHolmes, Gayle King, Taye Diggs,
Alfred Woodard, and Andrew Rannells will be in attendance
to celebrate Copeland S unparalleled journey.
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As part of Copeland S commitmentto inclusivity, children and
adult students from the Misty Copeland Foundation, SB Bold and
B Bolder programs will be invited to attend the simulcast
at Alice Tully Hall along with several of the foundation S
partner organizations. These include NYC Parks,
Williams Bridge Oval Recreation Center, Gaylord White Community
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Center, Boys and Girls Club, Kipps Bay, Palmerow and Cudert
Clubhouses, Boys and Girls Club,Madison Square, Pinkerton and
Grim Club Houses, Dream Charter School, East Harlem, Casita
Maria Center for Arts and Education, PS 130, Abraham
Stevens Hewitt and Bronx Works. Their participation ensures that
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this historic moment is shared with the next generation of
artists and audiences. American Ballet Theatre is proud
to invite the public to celebrate Misty Copeland S
extraordinary journey, said Susan Jaffe, ABT artistic
director. Her artistry, courage and
leadership have reshaped ballet for the future and this evening
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will be a once in a lifetime celebration of her impact.
Misty Copeland S leadership and artistry is unparalleled.
We are honored to collaborate with ABT and the Misty Copeland
Foundation to offer this simulcast so even more people
can experience this remarkable moment in a career that has
already welcomed so many into the world of ballet and help
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them see themselves as part of its future, said Shanta Thake
Aaron Krantz, Chief artistic Officer at Lincoln Center for
the Performing Arts. Misty Copeland is not only an
extraordinary artist, but also an extraordinary woman and
leader. Through her historic career on
the stage, she has inspired generations, and through her
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vision off the stage, she is building something that will
last for generations to come. In creating the Misty Copeland
Foundation alongside her many other endeavors, Misty is
ensuring that the joy, discipline and beauty of ballet
reach children and adults in Black and Brown communities who
have too often been excluded from this art form.
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This farewell performance marks not an ending, but the beginning
of her next chapter, one that will continue to expand access,
opportunity and belonging through dance for years to come,
said Karen Campbell, Executive director at the Misty Copeland
Foundation. This free simulcast is being
presented under ABT Rise Representation, Immersion,
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sustainability, Excellence, A/B TS commitment to universal
respect and holistic well-being.A/B T Rise builds on the legacy
of Project PLY 2013 to expand access to ballet while
cultivating a community where every artist, student, and
patron can fully engage, contribute, and belong.
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By amplifying diverse voices, fostering immersion in a rich
tapestry of artistic perspectives, and prioritizing
sustainability alongside excellence, A/B T ensures that
classical ballet evolves as a dynamic, inclusive art form that
reflects and uplifts the world around us.
More information on the simulcast can be found at
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abt.org or lincolncenter.org. Presence About American Ballet
Theatre American Ballet Theatre is one of the greatest dance
companies in the world, revered as a national treasure since its
founding season in 1940. Its mission is to create,
present, preserve and extend thegreat repertoire of classical
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dancing for the widest possible audience.
Headquartered in New York City, A/B T is the only cultural
institution of its size and stature to extensively tour
enchanting audiences for 8 decades in 50 U.S. states, 45
countries, and over 480 cities worldwide.
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A/B TS repertoire includes full length classics from the 19th
century, the finest works from the early 20th century, and
acclaimed contemporary masterpieces.
In 2006, by an Act of Congress, ABT was designated America's
National Ballet company. Registered.
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For more information, please visit www.abt.org.
About Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts Lincoln Center
for the Performing Arts LCPA is a nonprofit dedicated to
ensuring the Lincoln Center campus is a destination that
welcomes all, where every visitor, whether a native New
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Yorker or New Yorker for a day, can find inspiration, artistic
innovation, and community in thecreative achievements realized
on campus. Year round, we offer robust
seasons of programming, representing a broad spectrum of
performing arts disciplines and complementing the artistic and
educational activities of the 10fellow resident arts
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organizations with whom we sharea home.
LCPA presents hundreds of programs each year, offered for
free or choose what you pay, helping ensure that the arts are
at the center of civic life for all.
Follow Lincoln Center on social media facebookfacebook.com
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Lincoln Center Lincoln Center for the performing arts Thank
our supporters. The simulcast is made possible
by the Audrey and Martin Gross Discovery Fund.
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Contemporary dance is made possible by the Pasculeano
Collaborative for Contemporary Dance, Dash Lynn and Richard
Pasculeano founding donors. Additional support is provided
by the Harkness Foundation for Dance.
Endowment support is provided bythe Blavatnik Family Foundation,
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Fund for Dance and Doris Duke Foundation.
New York Presbyterian is the official hospital of Lincoln
Center for the Performing Arts United is the preferred airline
of Lincoln Center presence. Steinway and Sons is the
preferred piano partner of Lincoln Center.
Lead support for Lincoln Center presence is provided by the Ford
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Foundation. Major support is provided by the
Schubert Foundation. Additional support is provided
by Park Lane, New York and Fairfield by Marriott Central
Park. We are grateful to our Board of
Directors for their leadership and generous support in making
our work possible. Operation of Lincoln Center
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South Public plazas is supportedin part with public funds
provided by the City of New York.
Programs are made possible in part with public funds provided
by the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs and the New
York State Council on the Arts, with the support of the Office
of the Governor, Mayor of the City of New York, the New York
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State Legislature, and the New York City Council.