‘Nutcracker’ productions give Black dancers chance to shine | US and World News
Written by Black Hot Fire Network on December 18, 2022
BALTIMORE (AP) — After 15 years of performing ballet, NaTori Blackman-Gray finally got her chance recently to dance as the Snow Queen — a leading role in “The Nutcracker.”
For the Black ballerina, the role in the holiday favorite is a full-circle moment. She remembers first seeing Misty Copeland dance in a lead role with the American Ballet Theatre in 2015, when Copeland became the first Black woman promoted to principal dancer in that company’s 75-year history.
“It’s very inspiring because you don’t get to see often African Americans play a . . .
