There are some nights in New York that simply feel like history in motion — and this week’s American Ballet Theatre 2025 Fall Gala: A Celebration Honoring Misty Copeland was exactly that.
Hosted at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center, the evening brought together the crème de la crème of culture, fashion, and philanthropy for a one-night-only tribute to the woman who has not only changed ballet, but culture itself. As part of ABT’s 85th Anniversary Season, the gala raised an incredible $6 million, supporting ABT’s mission to make ballet more inclusive, accessible, and boldly modern.
The performance program, personally curated by Misty, was a visual love letter to her remarkable journey. Through dance and video, audiences relived the pivotal moments that shaped her from an ambitious young dancer to a trailblazing Principal Dancer and global icon.
Highlights included spellbinding excerpts from Kenneth MacMillan’s Romeo and Juliet, Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov’s Swan Lake, George Balanchine’s Theme and Variations, and Twyla Tharp’s Sinatra Suite — alongside a world premiere by Kyle Abraham, Wrecka Stow, that brought the audience to its feet.
Sharing the stage were some of ABT’s brightest stars — Calvin Royal III, Hee Seo, Herman Cornejo, Cory Stearns, Catherine Hurlin, and Isaac Hernández — each performing with a mix of reverence and joy that reflected Misty’s enduring influence on the company.
Before the curtain rose, Caroline Kennedy welcomed guests to the theater, setting the tone for an evening of celebration and reflection. Debbie Allen and Oprah Winfrey took the stage to honor Misty’s legacy not just as a performer, but as a cultural leader and advocate for representation, grace, and possibility.
When Misty took her final bow, the audience rose in thunderous applause that seemed to last forever. It wasn’t just the end of a chapter, but the passing of a torch.
Following the performance, guests gathered for a black-tie dinner and dancing beneath the glittering chandeliers of Lincoln Center, an atmosphere that perfectly balanced elegance with emotion. The crowd was a who’s who of art, entertainment, and fashion: Zac Posen, Shonda Rhimes, Marc Jacobs, Chelsea Clinton, Gayle King, Nicole Ari Parker, and Alfre Woodard were among the many notables spotted toasting to the historic night.
Fashion, of course, played its own starring role. Designer, entrepreneur, and eternal style muse Rebecca Minkoff lit up the red carpet in a sleek black gown by Acler, perfectly complemented by a bag from her own label. The look embodied “modern ballerina meets Manhattan chic” — the kind of effortless glamour only Rebecca can deliver. She was joined by reality TV star Grace Ann Nader, who added a dose of star power to an already luminous crowd.
While the inside of Koch Theater shimmered with couture and champagne, ABT ensured the magic reached beyond the velvet ropes. Hundreds of fans filled Alice Tully Hall next door, where the gala was streamed live. It was also part of ABT RISE, the company’s initiative dedicated to Representation, Immersion, Sustainability, and Excellence.
In collaboration with the Misty Copeland Foundation and Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, the simulcast gave audiences of all ages a front-row seat to ballet history — perfectly in tune with Misty’s lifelong mission to make dance accessible to all.
From the final bow to the final toast, the 2025 Fall Gala was a fitting tribute to a woman who has forever redefined grace, power, and artistry. Misty Copeland’s farewell wasn’t a goodbye. It was a promise that her legacy will continue to dance in the hearts of those she’s inspired.
