‘The Nutcracker’ Casts First Black Marie

At simply 11 years previous, Charlotte Nebres has made historical past.

George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker opened Friday (Nov 29) at New York Metropolis Ballet, and for the primary time in historical past, a Black woman can be taking part in the younger heroine, Marie. 

Charlotte Nebres was forged within the well-known manufacturing which dates again to 1954.

Charlotte was solely six years previous when Misty Copeland grew to become the primary feminine African-American principal at American Ballet Theater and remembers being impressed by seeing somebody on stage who regarded like her, The New York Occasions experiences. 

Now, Charlotte is a ballerina on the Faculty of American Ballet and can be making a reputation for herself on stage in The Nutcracker.

RELATED: Misty Copeland On Why She Would not Establish As Biracial: ‘I Am Considered As A Black Lady’

“It’s fairly wonderful to be not solely representing S.A.B., but in addition representing all of our cultures,” Charlotte advised The New York Occasions. “There could be a bit boy or woman within the viewers seeing that and saying, ‘Hey, I can try this, too.’”

Charlotte landed the a part of Marie after a troublesome audition of over 180 dancers. Dena Abergel, the youngsters’s ballet grasp of Metropolis Ballet, advised The New York Occasions that she considers a dancer’s measurement, dependability and dramatic finesse for casting. 

The Occasions reported that over the previous seven years, the New York Metropolis Ballet has taken 62 S.A.B. college students, 12 of whom are Black and 4 who’re ladies.

RELATED: [Watch] Right here Are The Finest Reactions To Misty Copeland’s New Barbie

However for Charlotte, though she thinks being the primary Black Marie is a giant deal, she says it’s not totally different as a result of it’s “simply how I grew up,” the Occasions experiences. Dance is what’s most essential to her.

“To me, it simply looks like once I dance. I be at liberty and I really feel empowered,” Charlotte advised The New York Occasions. “I really feel like I can do something once I dance. It makes me completely happy, and I’m going to do what makes me completely happy. You don’t want to consider anything.”