Fighting racial discrimination on pointe

Post date: Jan 29, 2018 4:12:34 PM

Published 1/26/18

By Allyson Garth, '19

As the curtains for the annual Cincinnati Ballet’s performance of The Nutcracker opened and ballet dancers filled the stage of Music Hall, one dancer stood out from the others. Salome Tregre, ‘22, a WHHS student, broke through racial barriers as the lead role.

Tregre played Clara, a traditionally white role. She is officially the first African-American Clara to ever be cast in the 50 years of The Cincinnati Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker. This monumental role shapes the future of ballet, leading to the potential of casting more African-American ballet dancers in major roles.

Many ballet productions typically are discriminatory, in that many roles are traditionally type-cast for white ballet dancers. The lack of lead roles can discourage African-American ballet dancers. When Misty Copeland became the first African-American principal dancer for the American Ballet Theater, she motivated the movement for diversifying in ballet. Likewise, Tregre performing a traditionally white role in a major production is a new stride towards equality.

By rising to the top, despite racial discrimination, Copeland has become one of the most respected ballerinas in the country. For young African-American ballerinas like Tregre, Misty Copeland is a true idol.

Tregre says that this experience has made her “feel special” and made her realize that “people of my color can do things like this.” With this new step toward equality, new doors are beginning to open for young African-American ballet dancers to gain more major roles in ballet productions.