On Wednesday night, Misty Copeland took her final bow as an American Ballet Theatre principal dancer. And the company made sure the trailblazing dancer received her flowers.

ABT’s fall gala was a dedicated celebration of Copeland’s career, and the dancer — and now, ABT trustee — grew emotional as she walked the carpet.

“I’m feeling overwhelmed,” said Copeland, dressed in a Carolina Herrera gown before the evening’s performance. “You know, I’m looking forward to it all: sharing the stage with partners that I’ve danced with my whole career, and some new people that I haven’t danced with before — and just sharing the stage with the company. I mean, this was my dream company since I was 13 years old, and this is beyond my wildest dreams. So I’m just trying to soak it all up,” she added.

See Full Page