Project Plié, a new initiative announced by the American Ballet Theatre (ABT) will seek to increase racial representation in the company and provide support to previously under-represented artistic persons in dance throughout the communities and also provide a platform where future talents can be identified.

According to the CEO of the American Ballet Theatre, Rachel S Moore, there is an under-representation of the ethnic diversity that is reflected in the American society in the professional classical ballet profession in the United State. By launching Project Plié, Rachel Moore, and ABT in particular believe that the program will provide an incentive to cultural diversity in the dance art and promote equal opportunity to the diversified community. Measured announced by ABT include:

  • Seek and provide scholarship for dance lessons to selected individuals
  • Create a partnership with other professional ballet companies whereby project Plié will serve as a platform for promoting equal opportunity to the diversified American community
  • Work closely with various boys and girls clubs with the scope of introducing ballet in the clubs and finding talented individuals to provide support and training.
  • Provide in a wider extent ABT’s internship program to promising artistic administrators of color
  • The creation of an advisory committee for Project Plié with main task of advocating, and raising awareness about Project Plié’s goals and mission
  • Recruiting and training dance professionals nationwide for ABT certification

For the scholarship program, Project Plié targets aspiring dance students aged 9-18 and is set to start in the Fall of 2013. An audition will be undertaken to identify potential recipients of the scholarship. There will be in all 40 scholarships available provided on an annual basis of which:

  • 15 recipients will be able to attend Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School at the ABT children and Pre-Professional division
  • 15 will have the opportunity to follow Summer Intensive Programs of which 5 includes housing stipends
  • 10 will have the opportunity of attending ABT’s Young Dancer Summer Workshop

Project Plié will have for its launch the knowledge and expertise of Misty Copeland, a professional ballerina, African American, who had been featured in various magazines such as Forbes, O, and appeared in various photo shoots. “My goal is to show to children that this exists” Ms Copeland said. ABT is also working closely with Ballet San Jose, Ballet Austin, and Oklahoma City Ballet for sharing information and raising awareness on the diversity program. The initiative is estimated to have a cost of approximately $500,000 and would be a long term commitment.