A Ballerina's Ta­le

Few dancers make it to the heights of classical ballet. Of that number very few of them are black. This is the story of Misty Copeland, who fought against all the odds to make it to the very summit. As an African American, Misty struggled against the predjudices of a cloistered dance world to pull herself up the ladder of the American Ballet Theatre and become a prima ballerina.

This production documents Misty’s rise and the tough reality of a ballerina’s life. Considered a prodigy at an early age, despite not starting ballet until she was 13, Misty has now become a role model and source of inspiration for thousands of young dancers and has an active career, not only as dancer but as an author and entertainer.

A Ballerina's Tale Reviews

“A Ballerina's Ta­le is far from an exhaustive or even complete documentary, but George… captures the behind-the-scenes grit required of any great artist while also making it clear why this artist is more important than most.” – L.A Times

“The part of [Ms. Copeland's] story that "A Ballerina's Ta­le” reveals best is the role of a group of successful older black women who took her under their wings and helped her feel less alone. This ballerina's tale is also theirs." – New York Times

“In A Ballerina's Tale, director Nelson George paints a moving portrait of Copeland that underscores her triumphs over bodily and historical limitations.” – Village Voice