Eleven-Year-Old Makes History at New York City Ballet

Eleven-year-old Charlotte Nebres has made history in the New York City Ballet’s production of “The Nutcracker” as she is the first black ballerina to play the lead. Nebres is currently one of four alternates for the lead role. She says it was Misty Copeland, the first black female principal dancer for the American Ballet Theater, who inspired her to pursue ballet. Copeland even surprised Nebres when she arranged to meet with her following the news of her casting. Nebres recognizes she’s very fortunate to have grown up in a time when there was nothing holding her back. She says “to me, it just feels like when I dance I feel free and I feel empowered. I feel like I can do anything.”