India Bradley Shatters Barriers with Historic Nutcracker Performance
On December 10th, 2023, 25-year-old India Bradley made history as the first Black woman in 75 years to dance the iconic role of Dewdrop in George Balanchine’s holiday classic “The Nutcracker” at the New York City Ballet (NYCB). Her groundbreaking performance was met with thunderous applause and overwhelming emotion.
“If you’ve never seen someone like me in that position, it would never cross your mind that this could be possible for you,” Bradley told GU magazine.
For decades, African-American ballerinas have faced barriers to landing prominent roles with major ballet companies. Black dancers make up less than 5% of professional ballet, and even fewer rise to principal status.
Passion for Ballet Passed Down from Mother
Bradley’s passion for dance came from her mother, Judy, a veteran of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. “India loved to perform and she was very talented,” Judy said, recalling how her daughter would create mock stages and demand applause from audiences of family and friends.
After training at the Dance Theatre of Harlem under Dance legend Arthur Mitchell, Bradley was accepted to the prestigious School of American Ballet at just 14 years old. Four years later, she received an offer to join NYCB, forgoing college for a shot most dancers only dream of.
Paving the Way for Future Generations
In a historically white institution known for lack of diversity in top roles, Bradley is paving the way for Black ballerinas of the future. “It was very important to me,” she said in an interview after the performance. “Many African-American women went through this company at different times and were not given the opportunity.”
On the iconic Lincoln Center stage, Bradley delivered nothing short of perfection – exhibiting mastery, poise and elegance with every step. She dedicated the special performance not only to the Black dancers who came before her, but to the young aspiring ballerinas she now empowers to dream bigger.
As Wendy Whelan, NYCB Associate Artistic Director, joined the crowded backstage celebration, the emotion and history of the night were palpable. Ms. Bradley stood amidst her peers and mentors, defying odds and opening doors once thought near impossible to open.
