We were so excited to read that 11 year old, Charlotte Nebre has made history by becoming the first black ballerina to be cast in the leading role of Marie in the New York City Ballet’s production of “George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker.”
The Nutcracker, a classic Christmas Story, is a fairy tale ballet in two acts centered on a family's Christmas Eve celebration, first premiered in Moscow, Russia a week before Christmas in 1892.
Charlotte is currently a ballet student at the School of American Ballet in New York City, and will alternate her role as Marie with another young dancer, and the Nutcracker Prince will also be alternated with two young dancers.
Charlotte was cited in the The New York Times saying "To me, it just feels like when I dance I feel free and I feel empowered. I feel like I can do anything when I dance. It makes me happy, and I’m going to do what makes me happy. You don’t need to think about anything else."⠀
Charlotte is also reported to have told the Times that she is inspired by Misty Copeland who became the first black female principal dancer at the American Ballet Theatre in 2015 who has shared the photo below of Charlotte on her Instagram account.
Nia Ballerina thinks this is an amazing story, and hopes Charlotte is able to inspire young black ballerinas everywhere to achieve their full potential. Colour should no longer be a barrier when it comes to dance although the world of classic ballet is still not diverse, however with role moles like 11 year old, Charlotte Nebre the future is bright!
See these very young dancers, who are the heart of George Balanchine's The Nutcracker®, now on stage through JAN 5. For more information click link; https://www.nycballet.com/Ballets/N/George-Balanchines-The-Nutcracker.aspx