Ballet Beyond Boundaries: The Black Ballerina Tale | Black/Current |Black Current

Black Ballerina is a story of passion, opportunity, heartbreak and triumph of the human spirit. Set in the overwhelmingly white world of classical dance, it tells the stories of several black women from different generations who fell in love with ballet.
Black/Current is a space to provide both educational and entertaining content primarily by or about Black people. That’s Black Brits, Black Americans, Black Africans, Black Canadians, Black Australians and so forth.
There is a really loud desire for diverse voices and stories and we want to be a part of that conversation.
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From "Black Ballerina" (2016)
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[@cat56789]

(This video was filmed in 2016) Update: Now Ashley Murphy dances with the Washington Ballet, Bianca had a baby she’s didn’t go back to dance and she completely stopped dancing, Raven Wilkinson passed away, Amanda smith now dances with dance theatre of harlem

[@kazkazzie3906]

Seeing this beautiful black woman crying is heartbreaking. I wish her the very best and plead that she does not give up.

[@kshillingford4921]

Revelation 18:6 “Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double.” Jeremiah 16:18 “And first I will recompense their iniquity and their sin double; because they have defiled my land, they have filled mine inheritance with the carcases of their detestable and abominable things.”

[@kristinialyons5230]

The grace in which these wonderful women talk about such a hard and heartbreaking issue for them was absolutely amazing. I have the deepest respect for your grace and poise talking about something that's so so so heartbreakingly backwards. This is exactly what the world needs right now. I really resonated with working so hard at something then being rejected because someone just doesn't like something about you that seems pretty stupid on the surface, then having to quick rethink your whole career. There's really nothing that makes that okay and I am so so sorry for these beautiful girls that have to go through that. These women's beauty and Grace and respectful attitudes and hearts are really really something I really wish more people could see and learn from.

[@EmmaEffa]

I am so grateful to have stumbled across this documentary. My daughter dances ballet. We are Black. She is fortunate to attend a school that embraces her but the realities of the specific field of ballet are daunting. I have watched her develop and it has profoundly enriched my respect and understanding of this most beautiful art form. So much so, that I am producing dance projects that center Black ballet dancers. I think if more people are engaging in the art form, then more opportunities for Black dancers in both the old platforms that have been held up as the standard and the new forms/organizations/ venues that are pushing boundaries and allowing the dance form to blossom and thrive anew. Thank you so much for sharing these women's stories. They will absolutely stay with me.

[@oneandonly1990]

These young ladies are amazing. My mother was a black ballerina but she stopped because they told her she was too "tall and fat", her thighs and behind were too big and she's 5'9. I wish I would have done ballet but my mom never put me in it I think due to the constant body shaming that happens in ballet. Im glad things are changing though.

[@aristapaz2672]

So glad you created this documentary about black ballerinas! Glad too that JP Bonnefous and P. MacBride have made a genuine commitment to making it possible for gifted black dancers to have the opportunity to join their company. I just wish all companies would make a similar effort! All artists deserve a safe and welcoming home where their gifts and talents are truly nurtured! It makes me sad and angry, that so much is lost - for the individual artists, for the community, and for the country as a whole when racism reigns unquestioned. Hopefully it will encourage all ballet companies to reexamine their prejudices and change their policies. As JPB said, the future of ballet depends on creating companies that reflect the kaleidoscopic and beautiful diversity of our country. This should be required viewing for every ballet company in the U.S.!

[@girlscarf]

"And I dont want to see anymore tokens. I want to see numbers now." SAME

[@dangerouslycheeky3746]

Then network with those who want to build their own companies and projects, if it successful believe me they will want a piece of the action. You can't force people to disavow their vision of art. It's also about getting those who don't normally go to the symphony, dance and theater to patronize these arts no matter who is on stage.

[@brittanym.perrodin647]

@@dangerouslycheeky3746 no no no you're not going to use cute terms like "vision of art" in place of what it really is - racism.

[@dangerouslycheeky3746]

Let's reverse your logic, there are so few roles for anyone, do we then say it's not possible, for all who audition to have a fair chance? How many whites do we see working on stage at Alvin Ailey? It is your job as a performer to impress and make the creators think differently, if possible. What type of quota system would you suggest?@@brittanym.perrodin647

[@gems3604]

But it's not just about the dancers. It's the musicians, the set designers, costumers, stage crew, props, lighting and the audience. I think if more Black people would commit to supporting the arts like they do rappers, there would be an explosion of Black ballerinas. The truth is it takes a long time to train a dancer - years. Ballet is changing. We see more other people of color moving up through the ranks. Hopefully, black people will get a clue and get out there and support black ballet.

[@NotYourAverageReader]

This documentary was amazingly bittersweet, and beautiful💔💜 and I hope the woman who was crying will one day find her passion to dance again, even if it's just for fun in her living room or a studio 💜💜💜💜

[@richardrykard3246]

Not a dancer but an aspiring photographer of the art and I am glad to have this doc in my pocket now to view at my leisure, it is very moving, informative, and a bit infuriating--a perfect storm.

[@gems3604]

What a beautiful documentary. I came to ballet in my 20's so there was never any illusion on my part that ballet would be anything more than a hobby. Years later when I introduced my daughters to a ballet school I saw first hand the whole attitude thing against anyone who didn't look "status quo." I was shocked, but not angry. I didn't push my daughters mostly because they didn't show an innate interest in dance. Still more years later I am working on a novel in which the principal character is a student of dance. Bianca Fabre reminds me very much of my character. Anyway, is there a way to get in touch with the dancers and former directors? Thank you.

[@Neosoul_prima]

Bianca I love and miss you! It was an honor to attend college with you, and thank you for sharing yourself in this film! I definitely will always look up to you!

[@lazarocedeno5270]

Dear sister Goddess Virginia. Thanks dear for sharing your your precious life with us. I do love and treasure our glorious children. All is good.

[@lazarocedeno5270]

Bravo. Thanks. Great documentary. We shall overcome. Soon.

[@brendapaul5950]

Yes, Sister, you tried. The monster of racism exists in dance.

[@MSusanna1959]

My heart breaks for that beautiful ballerina that had to give it up. I really hope she finds her way back to ballet. I agree, there should be more Black Ballerinas.

[@dangerouslycheeky3746]

Wrong, there should be more ballerinas who can do the work, regardless of body type or color. But, ultimately, it depends on the director's, producer's and/or writer's visions. That can't be overruled unless you change their minds completely in the auditions and even then it still might not work, but there is always a way of considering you for a smaller role in the same piece or the next one. But you can't have quota systems (how would you decide?), just fair chances, see the difference?

[@julijepp]

​@@dangerouslycheeky3746 Biggest eye role. More black ballerinas need to be given the opportunity instead if ostracized from main roles. Your racism is showing

[@dangerouslycheeky3746]

No, yours is. Become a producer, dear.@@julijepp

[@keyk8004]

I love ballet. It so beautiful and graceful. How the foot and legs captivate me. But every beauty has its own ugliness. Im sad that this kind of "tradition" is still around :(

[@MegaBossmare]

Very interesting

[@user-tw5te2ii6u]

👍🎉👍

[@lazarocedeno5270]

I am listening. Dear sister Goddess. Our ancestry are listening.Dear young sister Goddess. I’m sorry for your sorrow. Your our precious tears.

[@dakotajusem-laporte1835]

Does anyone know if the dancing clips that play while Raven Wilkinson is talking about Les Sylphides is her dancing? I'm assuming it is, but was wondering if someone knew for sure

[@susanaldridge2000]

Entering ballet theses days is almost impossible for all aspiring dancers. The body requirements are almost impossible. The athletic acrobatic requirements are too high. Artistry comes after that. The percentage of whites selected is possibly worse than for blacks. As you said the body. The feet. The stretch. The jump height. If your parents are rich and can pay for training and living in Russia, you might have a chance. Being black is only one of many hindrances. But on the other hand being black might help in certain instances. It is a crap shoot. Not even Margot Fonteyn would be accepted as a student these days. You have to be an Olympic athlete. Paper thin. An acrobat with an obscene split in the air. And only the rich can afford the early training, the best being in Russia at Vagonova in St Petersburg or in Moscow, possibly New York and London. Without that early training it is now almost impossible to become a ballerina.

[@ThirzaLynetteClarke-ku9dq]

Thanks for this documentary. I just cried at man's inhumanity to man and I am white.

[@cat56789]

Get Misty Copelands new book black ballerinas my journey to our legacy,

[@markmatson2645]

I am so sorry that America’s racism put such hardship on Black women’s dreams to be ballerinas

[@user-lc5dn4rh2y]

Никогда не буду смотреть Лебединое озеро с исполнителями с темной кожей. Для таких танцоров нужны балеты с учетом их особенностей и их истории.

[@In_ThIs_SAD_Dark_Reality]

I would never be in a previous answer I would never encourage my daughter to be a ballerina because I've been through it. There's no money in it it's abuse on your body like of the worst sort they encourage not eating and other unhealthy things I really don't see an upside in it at all like I can honestly say I have health problems now you know what I'm saying like nothing good came of it I know girls that ended up on drugs you know that didn't make it girls that did make it that ended up on drugs to keep skinny you know what I'm saying there's a lot of unhealthy aspects that go with dancing none of it is good

[@protogoniascension]

If Balle is about racism Its an artform that's not worth taking into the future

[@In_ThIs_SAD_Dark_Reality]

I don't know that I would say that ballet is strictly a lily White sport. I danced back in 2009 a lot of the girls that I danced with were you know we went to college and stuff like that a lot of them were black a lot of positions now or Swan Lake they aren't held by white girls anymore it's pretty diverse I mean I guess you could say that back in the day but I mean it was a lot of crazy s*** that was unfair going on back then. I just started watching it that comment just took me off guard I guess a little bit I mean I don't see it that way I'm from Germany so I don't know it was just I've never seen it look that way and I danced professionally for a while so I guess it just depends on how you choose to look at it or where you are Maybe

[@West-Telecom]

This is WHITE ART

[@lazarocedeno5270]

The problem with ballet is that to begin with it is an art form. In America, art is not something that is popular. America is a very young country. Ballet comes from the old world and primarily for the upper classes. Art is not something that Americans can relate to. In Europe, it is not uncommon for cities to have an opera house. Every opera house has a ballet company. Ballet is an art form primarily for the elites. It’s a testimony to the spirit of black Americans who aspire to have the best lives possible no matter the circumstances and challenges. In our American history regardless the obstacles that white supremacy has created. We have historically proven our exemplary ability to create and overcome.