In this course, we will look at the very beginning of black women in ballet by opening with women like, Janet Collins, Katherine Dunham, Carmelita Maracci, Carmen de Lavallade and Raven Wilkinson. We will look at the difficulties that plagued early ballerinas of color due to racism, segregation and how white face was a tool used to rob the identities of dancers of color and at the same save their lives when they performed in the American south. We will look at the road that the early dancers paved for women like Misty Copeland, and other black ballerinas abroad like Kitty Phetla leotards (South Africa) and Ingrid Silva (Brazil). Then we will analyze the importance of representation and diversity, and how companies like Ballet Black and the Dance Theatre of Harlem are leaving and intentional marks to change what has always been. For example, the idea that pointe shoes and have historically been pink- Ballet Black has recently collaborated with FREED of London to make high quality skin toned shoes for dancers of color. Lastly, we will see how history can be recorded and stories told in very creative and striking ways that make you think twice about every other story you have ever heard! Our aim is to transform the way you process history by examining who tells the story. <3