Misty Copeland, the woman who made history in 2015 as the first African American woman to become a principal dancer at the American Ballet Theatre (ABT) gave her farewell performance there on Wednesday.

“Misty Copeland represents community

Hundreds of people waited in line for hours to catch the moment on a livestream at New York City’s Lincoln Center. A live broadcast of the performance was shown next door at Alice Tully Hall. Free tickets were given away at the box office that day on a first-come, first-serve basis with a limit of two tickets per person. The ABT theatre’s Fall Gala “marked Copeland’s first return to the stage in five years, as well as her final ballet dance with the company.”

“Misty Copeland represents community, and we wanted to make this evening as accessible as possible,” said Aubrey Lynch, dean of students and director of ABT Rise.

“She’s had an impact on so many … For us to be able to celebrate her farewell to ABT is just a momentous event,” said Caryn Campbell, executive director of the Misty Copeland Foundation.

“Copeland, who a decade ago became the first Black female principal dancer in the company’s 75-year history, was feted at its star-studded fall gala at Manhattan’s Lincoln Center. Oprah Winfrey and Debbie Allen were among those who gave speeches of praise.”

“Misty didn’t just perform ballet,” Winfrey said of the ballerina who has achieved a unique crossover fame. “She changed it. She redefined who belongs, who gets to be seen, and who gets to lead.”

Though an era is ending, Copeland has not closed the door on dancing completely.

“It’s been 25 years at ABT, and I think it’s time,” she told The Associated Press in an interview in June, when she announced her retirement. “It’s time for me to move to the next stage.”

We are sure whatever stage Misty Copeland enters next, it will be just as impactful as her journeyed career in ballet.

Join the conversation at bsm_mag on Instagram.

Credit: Getty Images