At Boston Ballet, we are proud to amplify female voices, both on stage and off. In celebration of Women’s History Month, we are highlighting female trailblazers of the past and present who have made an impact on Boston Ballet.

This month, we celebrate Principal Dancer Lia Cirio, who has been with the company for 20 years. Her upcoming world premiere in Boston Ballet’s FALL EXPERIENCE marks her second choreographic work for the Boston Ballet main stage. Cirio’s ballets showcase a brilliant pairing of her own personal style and technique with her ability to highlight the unique talent of her fellow dancers.

“‘I hope that I can be that someone for that dreaming young ballerina, that might see me and think, ‘That’s me. I can do that too,’” she said. “Every time I go out there, I think of that and hope I inspire someone.’”
—Lia Cirio, WBUR

Boston Ballet continues to support female choreographic voices as part of our ChoreograpHER initiative. Hear from one of those voices, Helen Pickett, on her choreographic journey. Pickett’s works Petal and TO BE ONE, were a part of Boston Ballet’s Winter Experience program in 2024.

In honor of Women’s History Month, it’s “lights up” on the talented women who work backstage on Boston Ballet’s productions. Meet three women who are calling the shots.

Nanine Linning stands as a beacon of creativity and innovation in the world of dance, making her an emblematic figure for Women’s History Month. As a female choreographer, Linning has fearlessly broken through barriers, challenging conventions and redefining the boundaries of contemporary dance. Explore the behind-the-scenes look at her most recent world premiere with Boston Ballet, La Mer, that shed light on the importance of ocean preservation.

Black History Month is a time to reflect on and celebrate the impact that Black Americans have had in our country. In honor of Black History Month, we are highlighting dance moments by black dancers and leaders for their contributions to American dance and ballet history.

Take an inside look at sewing and pancaking pointe shoes with Artist Sydney Williams. Pancaking is a process that involves using dye or make up to paint pointe shoes to match skin tone.

“To have the option to wear tights and shoes that match my skin tone is amazing. It allows me to feel less “different” because it makes me feel like my whole identity is accepted and welcomed in ballet. When I started in the graduate program at Boston Ballet, I was hesitant to ask if I could wear brown tights; I felt like it wasn’t my place. But now I not only feel more comfortable making those decisions for myself, but can also see that this decision has been welcomed by the company.” -Artist, Sydney Williams

Principal Dancer Chyrstyn Fentroy opens up about her performing with her natural hair in George Balanchine’s Chaconne.

“As a corps de ballet member I performed in the opening scene where the women are meant to be in their most beautiful natural state possible, but I had only seen images of women with flowing hair that fell down by their shoulders and my natural hair is a short afro. Because of this, I didn’t feel like I fit the description of beautiful. One day, I finally got the courage to have the conversation about my natural hair and eventually I went on stage this way, and that performance felt amazing because I felt that my natural me was also beautiful.” -Principal Dancer Chyrstyn Fentroy

Hear from Second Soloist Daniel Durrett on what it means to him to perform the role of The Nutcracker Prince in Mikko Nissinen’s The Nutcracker.

“Grateful to have made my debut on Dec 7, 2023 as the Nutcracker Prince, and I’m looking forward to more wonderful opportunities to keep pushing and growing as a black artist.” -Second Soloist, Daniel Durrett

Boston Ballet is one of the most diverse in the country, featuring dancers from all around the world, of just about every color. Listen to Artist Sydney Williams and Second Soloist Daniel Durrett discuss their hopes to inspire the future generation in an interview with CBS News.

Hear from Boston Ballet Soloist Lawrence Rines Munro and Second Soloists Daniel Durrett and Tyson Ali Clark on what it means to them to perform the role of Snow King in Mikko Nissinen’s The Nutcracker.

Choreographed by Company dancer My’Kal Stromile, Form and Gesture (World Premiere) celebrates the beauty, expressiveness, and transformative power of movement while bridging the gap between classical ballet tradition and contemporary innovation. Watch his choreographic journey from the studio, to the costume shop, through the musical development process and Form and Gesture‘s unveiling on the Citizens Opera House stage.