SAN PEDRO, Calif. — Ballerina Misty Copeland has captivated audiences on stage for decades, performing roles like Odette in “Swan Lake” and the Sugar Plum Fairy in “The Nutcracker” with American Ballet Theatre.

Copeland’s latest project takes her from the stage to the screen in the short film “Flower.”

Misty Copeland joined Lisa McRee on “LA Times Today” to discuss her groundbreaking career and new film.

Copeland grew up in San Pedro, where she began taking ballet classes at age 13. Shortly after, she was dancing on pointe and making her way to the professional level.

Copeland spoke about how her early years shaped her into the dancer and person she is now.

“When I moved to San Pedro, California, I was about 7 years old, and it’s the first place that I really considered home. The Boys and Girls Club became this incredible support system, this incredible place where I had mentors and people who were looking after me in more than just through the lens of a teacher,” she shared. “Dance and ballet have given me stability. It’s given me a platform to be able to express myself through movement and through dance. But to find my actual voice, to be able to use that now, at this point in my career, is pretty special.”

While Copeland is the first Black principal ballerina with ABT, she credits the Black women who danced on stage before her with some of her success. Raven Wilkinson was one such mentor.

“I always understood the importance of, first of all, being able to see myself in someone else, the importance of representation. Raven was all of that and more. She was the first Black ballerina to dance at a major elite company in America... she came into my life and became more than a mentor, but someone who showed me what it is to lead by example and what it is to take hold of this art form and use it for good,” Copeland said. 

“Flower” is set in Oakland and focuses on issue the community there is facing, like gentrification and homelessness. Copeland spoke about how the short film tells an impactful story through silent storytelling. 

“This is an extension of everything that I’ve done throughout my career. It’s carrying the same message. It’s bringing more access, more opportunity to actually underprivileged underrepresented communities, underprivileged children, and to be a part of this art form,” she said. “‘Flower’ is an art/activism film, and it’s silent storytelling, but that’s what I do. That’s what ballet is. That’s what dance is. It’s telling a story through movement without using your voice.”

Copeland said she envisions “Flower” as the start of a series of shorts that will focus on different cities across America and different social issues.

After taking time off to focus on other projects and start her family, Copeland teased her return to performing with ABT.

“I’m waiting for the right moment when I can really focus on being on stage again. I’ve had an unbelievable career. It’s by no means over, but it’s been almost 25 years of dancing professionally. But you will see me on the stage again,” she concluded. 

Click the arrow above to watch the full interview.

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