Misty Copeland will have her Broadway debut Aug. 25 in the musical On the Town. This follows  her historical accomplishment, back  in June, of becoming the first African American woman ever promoted to principal dancer at American Ballet Theatre, one of the world’s most prestigious companies.
[Related: ‘Un-Tamed: Hair Body Attitude’ Celebrates Black Womanhood]
According to USA Today, in On the Town, which traces the romantic adventures of three sailors on 24-hour leave in the Big Apple during World War II, Copeland inherits a role first introduced on Broadway in 1944 by Sono Osato, whose father was Japanese.
This role is unique for the prima ballerina as it requires her to sing,â€which I’ve never done,†she admits to USA Today but in true “on pointe†fashion, Copeland seems to welcome the challenge.
“It’s all going to be a bit of a shock,” she tells USA Today. “But it’s going to make me more confident, knowing I did something I thought I never could or would do.”
Copeland’s perseverance has been paramount in her success from the beginning as she didn’t begin studying ballet until she was 13-years-old. She’s also had to overcome battles of racism in the non-diverse discipline of dance, and rise above body shaming when, at 5’2 and 100lbs, she was advised to lose weight.
You can read more about Misty Copeland’s prep for Broadway at USA Today.