The Increase of Diversity in Ballet Companies: A Snapshot 2013 vs 2023
This data was compiled to accompany MoBBallet founder’s opinion editorial piece, ‘Can Ballet be Antiracist?’ for The The WNET Group‘s Guest-Op-Ed initiative. The four companies were selected for several reasons. Not only are they among the largest and most respected companies in the country, but they have also publicly committed to the work of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Antiracism. For almost a decade, they have devoted time and resources to organizational education and recruitment for their schools and *companies.
MoBBallet is presently preparing a similar survey to be distributed field wide. As the article states numbers are only a part of the story, however it is a very important measure. This work will also help us update our Roll Call an ever growing list of professional Black Ballet Dancers.
*New York City Ballet strictly hires from their School of American Ballet
New York City Ballet
2013: 100 Dancers (94 dancers, 6 apprentices)
13.% Dancers of Color (13)
4% Black Identifying (4) – 2 Soloists, 2 Corps de ballet
6% Asian American/Asian/Pacific Islander (6) 2 Soloists, 4 Corps de ballet
2% Latino American/Latinx (2) 2 Corps de ballet
1% Multi-Racial (1) Asian/Latinx 1 Principal
2023: 94 Dancers (89 dancers, 5 apprentices)
27.37% Dancers of Color (26)
12.6% Black Identifying (12) – 1 Principal, 2 Soloists, 7 Corps de ballet, 2 Apprentices
8.4% Asian American/Asian/Pacific Islander (8) 3 Principals, 2 Soloists, 1 Corps de ballet, 2 Apprentices
6. 3% Latino American/Latinx (6) 2 Principals, 1 Soloist, 3 Corps de ballet
American Ballet Theatre
2013: 89 dancers
14.61% Dancers of color (13)
5.62% Black Identifying (5) -1 Soloist, 4 corps de ballet members
8.99% Asian American/Asian/Pacific Islander (8) -1 Principal, 2 Soloists, 5 Corps de ballet members
2023: 95 dancers
24.21% Dancers of color (23)
9.47% Black identifying dancers (9) 2 Principals, 7 Corps de ballet members, 2 apprentices
14.74% Asian American/Asian/Pacific Islander dancers (14) 2 Principals, 4 Soloists, 7 Corps de ballet members, 1 apprentice.
Pacific Northwest Ballet
2012/2013: 44 dancers
25% Dancers of Color (11) 7% Black Identifying (3) – 1 Principal, 1 Soloist, 1 Corps de Ballet
16% Asian American/Asian/Pacific Islander (7) – 2 Principal, 1 Soloist, 4 Corps de Ballet
2% Hispanic/Latinx (1) – 1 Principal
2023/2024: 45 dancers
53% Dancers of Color (24) 20% Black Identifying (9) – 1 Principal, 2 Soloist, 7 Corps de Ballet
24% Asian American/Asian/Pacific Islander (11) – 2 Principal, 4 Soloists, 5 Corps de Ballet
9% Hispanic/Latinx (4) – 1 Principal, 1 Soloists, 2 Corps de Ballet
Boston Ballet
2013: 54 dancers
22.22% Dancers of color (22)
3.70% Black Identifying (2) corps de ballet
14.81% Asian American/Asian/Pacific Islander (8) 2 principal, 2 soloists, 2 second soloists, 2 corps de Ballet
* 3.70% 2 dancers identified as two or more races- Corps de Ballet
2023: 54 dancers
29.63% Asian/AAPI (16)
11.11% Black Identifying (6) 2 Corps de Ballet or Artists, 3 Second Soloists and 1 Soloist
16.67% Asian American/Asian/Pacific Islander (9) 5 principal, 1 soloists, 2 second soloists, 1 corps de Ballet
* 1.85% 1 dancer identifies as than more race – Principal