From becoming the third African-American female soloist at the American Ballet Theatre to being one of the only two African-Americans to star in Swan Lake to becoming the first black woman to be crowned as principal dancer at the American Ballet Theatre, Misty Copeland has made history countless times.
But who would have thought that she would have yet another breakthrough just days after she was named principal dancer? Misty Copeland, queen of the ballet (as we’d like to call her), is now about to make her Broadway debut: The 30-year-old ballerina is set to star in On the Town. You may applaud.
If you are shocked that Copeland has earned herself another impressive opportunity so soon, then you’re not alone, because so is she.
“I was contacted by them and they actually wanted me to go in pretty quickly, and it was all just ‘Oh my gosh, this is not something I ever thought I would do,’” she told TIME. “If I’m going to be part of a Broadway show, I think this is the one.”
She will play the role of Ivy Smith, also known as “Miss Turnstiles,” the love interest of a sailor in New York City during the 1940s. Copeland’s run will last from August 25th to September 6th.