School of American Ballet student, Charlotte Nebres, has made history by being the first Black ballerina cast in the lead role as Marie, in the New York City production of “The Nutcracker.” The curtain will close on 2019 in historic style, as 11-year old Charlotte Nebres earned a spotlight on history’s stage, breaking ballerina bearers, that will inspire Black ballerinas to witness, yes, it is possible, that they too can do it, because Charlotte did. Pirouetting the pathway paved by Black ballerinas such as Anne Benna Sims, Janet Collins, Raven Wilkinson, Lauren Anderson, Olivia Boisson, and Misty Copeland, Charlotte Nebres is encouraging Black girls to unapologetically have the audacity to arabesque anywhere. Twirl girls, twirl. You may portray Marie, with melanin.
