American Ballet Theatre’s programme for Fall Gala honouring Misty Copeland
American Ballet Theatre will honour Principal Dancer Misty Copeland with a starry Fall Gala celebration on Wednesday 22 October 2025 at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center.
This event will bring together leaders in the arts, fashion, philanthropy, and culture to mark Copeland’s farewell season with ABT.
Honorary Grand Chairs are Caroline Kennedy and Oprah Winfrey, with the evening supported by the Lead Underwriter Ford Foundation and Sponsors Brown Brothers Harriman and Dior.
ABT’s Artistic Director Susan Jaffe and Copeland have collaborated on a programme reflecting Copeland’s artistry and influence. The evening will feature a World Premiere pièce d’occasion, choreographed by Kyle Abraham and led by Copeland and Calvin Royal III. Copeland will also perform with Royal in the balcony pas de deux from Kenneth Macmillan‘s Romeo and Juliet and with Herman Cornejo in an excerpt from Twyla Tharp‘s Sinatra Suite.
Additional pieces include the Act II pas de deux from Kevin McKenzie‘s Swan Lake, danced by Hee Seo and Cory Stearns, the finale from George Balanchine‘s Theme and Variations, led by Devon Teuscher and Aran Bell, and a performance by ABT Studio Company. A video chronicling Copeland’s career and influences, as well as tributes from Debbie Allen and Oprah Winfrey, will be shown.
Beyond the Stage
Beyond her ABT career, Copeland is a New York Times best-selling author, film producer, and founder of the Misty Copeland Foundation, which advances diversity and access in dance education through its BE BOLD program. Her impact continues to shape the future of the arts through her advocacy for representation, community, and opportunity.
Fall Gala tickets begin at $5,000, and Fall Gala tables begin at $50,000. A limited number of performance-only tickets will be released closer to the date. For more information about the Fall Gala, visit abt.org/Fall-Gala.
Graham Spicer, aka ‘Gramilano’, is a writer, director and photographer based in Milan. He was a regular columnist for Opera Now magazine and wrote for the BBC until transferring to Italy. His articles have appeared in various publications from Woman’s Weekly to Gay Times, and he wrote the Danza in Italia column for Dancing Times magazine. Graham was the historical advisor on Codice Carla, the 2023 documentary on Italian ballerina Carla Fracci.
Graham also works as a dance photographer, and his photos have appeared in many books, theatre programmes, and magazines, including Dancing Times, Dance Spirit and Ballet2000, as well as all the major Italian newspapers.
He is a member of the Dance Section of The Critics’ Circle.
It all sounds wonderful.
A tiny linguistic point: although “pièce d’occasion” sounds right in English, in its native French it actually means “second-hand” (as in used goods, rather than something you’d find on a watch). The French for what you’re trying to convey – in English, an “occasional piece” – is “pièce de circonstance”. Just so you know….
Haha, yes! But I’m sure that ABT are using it for its other meaning, ie that it’s a one off… bespoke… specially made for an occasion.
Frankly, I don’t think that Copeland contributed that much to the world of dance to merit such an elaborate farewell gala. Sorry! I read her autobiography, and I respect her overcoming prejudice/bigotry (not too much documented evidence of that) and an awful childhood to finally become a principal dancer with ABT.
Agreed
Exquisite artistry and extraordinary talent!!!
Celebrating Misty Copeland is bigger than people may realize. She symbolizes unending, and centuries old struggle, against stereotypes.
She is preceded by prima ballerinas of color in America who broke stereotypes with “exquisite artistry and extraordinary talent.” One of whom was the Muse for one of the greatest ballet choreographers: MARIA TALLCHIEF, Lupe Serrano, Yvonne Chouteau, Marjorie Tallchief, and Rosella Hightower who founded a ballet company.