FEATURE
BLACK BALLERINAS AT THE CAROLINA BALLET
By Sherri Holmes
RALEIGH, NC - Today many black
ballerinas find it challenging to be
accepted by American ballet companies.
there suggested a strong stage presence.”
In 1982, when Austin joined the
Pennsylvania Ballet, she became the first
African American principal ballerina at a
major dance company in the US. Ricky
Weiss, then Pennsylvania Ballet’s Artistic
Director, says, “Debra Austin had the most
beautiful feet and legs of practically any
ballerina I ever watched dance.”
Debra Austin is the Ballet Master for the
Carolina Ballet. Other than the Dance
Theatre of Harlem, the Carolina Ballet
may be the only professional dance
company with an African American in
this role. According to Weiss, “(Austin)
possesses the gift that few . . . have, which
is the understanding of what is good
choreography and what is not and that
enables her to be a very effective Ballet
Master.”
When she was a dancer, Austin made
history as the first African American
female soloist at the New York City Ballet.
According to The New York Times, “…
while in the New York City Ballet, Austin’s
smooth open jump and general vivacity
Austin’s amazing ballet career has not
been without its challenges. After Ricky
Weiss left the Pennsylvania Ballet, the
company decided to perform Romeo and
Juliet. Despite being a principal dancer,
Austin was not considered for the role
of Juliet. She was cast as one of the
gypsies. She told the director, “Forget
it. I’m just not going to be in the ballet.”
Austin eventually left the Pennsylvania
Ballet and retired from dancing. Austin
remains proud of her illustrious career and
continues to inspire a new generation of
dancers.
Debra Austin ascent in the world of
American ballet is a result of her own
talents as a phenomenal dancer, Kirsten
and Balanchine’s vision for a diverse dance
company as well as Ricky Weiss’ ability
to focus on what is most important, great
dancing. In order for ballet companies to
become more diverse a new generation of
black dancers must be cultivated and more
They are told that they don’t have the right
physique, they are too muscular. Their
darker skin keeps them from blending in
with the other dancers. And the image of
them as “strong black women” doesn’t play
well with the more angelic, ephemeral roles
in many ballets. So if black ballerinas
want to pursue a career in classical ballet,
they often have to go to Europe.
But things are different at the Carolina
Ballet in Raleigh, NC. Since it began in
1997, the company has always featured
African American dancers as either
members of the corps or soloists. The
company’s Founder and Artistic Director,
Ricky Weiss says, “I always look for the
best dancers. I think it’s important to have
a diverse company, especially in today’s
world.”
Giselle and La Sylphide. She performed
in a PBS television special, “Live From
Lincoln Center.” Austin also joined the
Zurich Ballet in Switzerland and spent two
years touring in Europe.
dance companies like the Carolina Ballet
need to provide them with opportunities.
It allows black ballerinas like Carmen
Felder to pursue their passion. Felder,
who joined the Carolina Ballet in 2011,
says, “I go to work and I put my pointe
shoes on and I wear a tutu. The other day
I (had) a mask on and this nurse’s hat and
I’m running around having a great time
on stage. And in the studio I have friends
and we all enjoy doing what we love. It’s a
dream come true.”
You can see Carmen Felder in most
evening performances of the Carolina
Ballet’s Nutcracker. It was described by
the New York Times’ rad