A Girl Named Misty

Dancing in the Spotlight

Misty showed everyone she deserved spotlight. At the age of twenty-four, she became a soloist. Misty was only the second African American female soloist in the company’s history. Five years later, she got the role of a lifetime in The Firebird. This famous ballet has been around for more than over a hundred years. Misty would be the first African American woman to dance the role of the Firebird for a major ballet company.

For months, Misty poured all of herself into practicing. Even when her leg began to hurt, she kept going. Misty pushed through the pain, not realizing she had several fractures.

One day, Misty saw a huge banner hanging outside of the Metropolitan Opera House. It was a photo of her as the Firebird. With tears in her eyes, she knew that girls would see her brown skin and curves, and see a reflection of themselves.

On opening night, Misty’s pain was horrible. She focused instead on the people who believed in her, and she became the Firebird. Days later, Misty knew she couldn’t continue. She had to take another break from ABT and have surgery. Would she be able to return?

Not only did Misty come back to ABT, but three years after her performances the Firebird, the artistic director of ABT told Misty to take a bow. She had been promoted to principal dancer—the highest level a dancer can reach. Misty had finally achieved her dream. She was the first African American female principal dancer in the company’s history. As her ABT family cheered, she could feel the world applauding. Misty, the shy little girl with the big talent, had become the star she was always meant to be.