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From the stage to film, world-renown ballet dancer Misty Copeland and Emmy-award winning producer Leyla Fayyaz are transforming how classical ballet is reaching audiences while also raising awareness of societal issues.
The childhood friends, who met as teenagers at the American Ballet Theatre (ABT) in New York City, started Life in Motion Productions, which uses dance to call attention to important topics such as homelessness.
The close friends and co-founders discussed their projects and experiences in the world of classical ballet as part of a conversation with clients that was moderated by Rob Barlick, region head of Florida and Latin America for Private Wealth Management.
“The reason we started this production company was to change the narrative,” said Leyla. “That is the only way you can affect change for future generations.”
Change that includes showcasing more dancers of color, which is one of the goals of their company. When Leyla and Misty met at ABT, they knew that neither of them fit the typical mold of a ballerina. Leyla was from an immigrant family, and Misty, a dance prodigy, was one of six children raised by a single mom who moved the family frequently. On occasion, they lived in motels.
“I was thrust into this professional world, and I realized that I was the only Black woman in the dance company,” Misty said. “We were drawn to the art form because it allowed us to feel free.”
Yet even within the world of dance, stereotypes and other practices were not welcoming to dancers of color. For example, in some dance companies, dancers were instructed to lighten their skin when performing on stage, an issue that has come front and center because of the Black Lives Matter movement.
Misty, who has danced with ABT at the Met Opera House and Koch Theater at Lincoln Center for nearly two decades, as well as on stages around the country and the world, says she’s cognizant of those who came before her — Black dancers who were denied the same opportunities that she’s received. She says inequities of the past are a reminder of the “responsibilities that I have.”
"We were drawn to the art form because it allowed us to be free."-Misty Copeland
“Being on the inside, it doesn’t feel like a lot has changed,” Misty said. “I know that all of my efforts have made an impact in some way, but when you’re in it, it’s hard to see how you’ve affected change.”
To continue enacting positive change, Misty and Leyla hope the dance films they’re producing will spark important conversations around key issues. Their latest nonprofit production, Flower, which received seed funding from the Ford Foundation, showcases how homelessness is increasing in cities across the country, including Oakland, California, where they filmed their latest project. With rents soaring in recent years, housing has become unaffordable, leading to a spike in individuals and families seeking shelter in tent cities. Leyla and Misty hired local artists, dancers, musicians and directors to make the film authentic.
“We’ve received an incredible response from community leaders, and everyone is so excited about this,” said Leyla. “It’s about being there for your neighbor and being hopeful.”
Hope is needed as the global pandemic and issues surrounding equality dominate the national conversation. Leyla and Misty hope that their art will lift spirits and provide a reprieve from present-day challenges. They say they’re also excited to use social media as a platform to showcase dance to an audience who may never have had access to a theater to watch classical ballet. The goal, according to Leyla, is to inspire and empower through dance.
“Art is helping people get through this tough time.”
Click here to watch a trailer of the dance film Flower.
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