Red Carpet Rundown: American Ballet Theatre’s 2025 Fall Gala Shines with a One-Night-Only Tribute Celebrating Misty Copeland’s Farewell Performance

Last night, American Ballet Theatre (ABT) hosted its Fall Gala: A Celebration Honoring Misty Copeland. As part of ABT’s landmark 85th anniversary season, Misty Copeland curated a special program that honored Misty’s extraordinary legacy. Through a blend of dance and video, the evening traced her journey from her earliest influences to her defining performances and rise to Principal Dancer, and ultimately to her impact beyond the stage as a cultural leader, advocate, and inspiration to the next generation. Her story is woven into the broader tapestry of ABT’s history, celebrating the past while looking boldly toward the future. Honorary Grand Chair Caroline Kennedy welcomed guests to the theater before the performance. Debbie Allen and Honorary Grand Chair Oprah Winfrey also took the stage to share reflections on Misty’s impact on dance and culture.

The program included performance excerpts from Kenneth MacMillan’s Romeo and Juliet, Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov’s Swan Lake, George Balanchine’sTheme and Variations, and Twyla Tharp’s Sinatra Suite, alongside Wrecka Stow, a World Premiere by Kyle Abraham. Featured ABT dancers included: Calvin Royall III, Cory Stearns, Hee Seo, Herman Cornejo, Catherine Hurlin, and Isaac Hernández.

Gala guests who gathered for the performance, black-tie dinner, and dancing at Lincoln Center included Alessia Fendi, Alfre Woodard, Amy Astley, Amy Fine Collins, Amy Griffin, Amy Sherald, Anne Imhof, Anh Duong, Andrew Rannells, B Michael, Beejan Land, Brooks Nader, Carys Zeta Douglas, CC & Amber Sabathia, Chai Vasarhelyi, Arielle Patrick, Chelsea Clinton, Christian Cowan, Clara Wu Tsai, Chloe Flower, Danielle Brooks, Dawn Porter, Debra Lee, Deborah Roberts, Derek Fordjour, Devin Finzer, Elizabeth Alexander, Gayle King, Hamish Bowles, Hannah Bronfman & Brendan Fallis, Ilana Glazer, Indre Rockefeller, Iman, Isaac Boots, Jaelin Howell, Jim Parsons, Jordan Roth & Richie Jackson, Julie Halston, Katie Couric & John Molner, Katie Lee & Ryan Biegel, Leigh Fidler, Leo Villareal, Malcolm Carfrae & John Wattiker, Mandy Freeman, Marc Jacobs, Marisa Tomei, Nate Berkus & Jeremiah Brent, Nicole Ari Parker, Paul Arnhold, Phylicia Rashad, Pritika Swarup, Rebecca Minkoff & Gavin Bellour, Rowan Henchy,Sabine Getty, Sai de Silva & David Craig, Samantha Barry, Samira Nasr, Shonda Rhimes, Simon Huck & Phil Riportella, Sriram Krishnan, Stacey Bendet, Star Jones, Tamron Hall, Taye Diggs, Thelma Golden, Tierna Davidson, Tina Leung, Tonya Lewis Lee, Twyla Tharp, Val Carlotti, Versha Sharma, Wes Gordon, Yvonne Force Villareal, Zac Posen, Zara Tisch, ABT Artistic Director Susan Jaffe and Executive Director Barry Hughson. See all the fun inside…