The nation's first all-Black Nutcracker production is coming to Philadelphia, PA. Founder, Chanel Holland says that the one-night-only performance is "intended to make ballet more accessible to Black dancers". The world of ballet has been slow in accepting dancers of colors in major companies. Black dancers in ballet are estimated to make up just 5% of dancers.  Chocolate Ballerina Company (CBC) held auditions for the performance in several major cities, including Washington, DC, and Philadelphia where the company is based. 

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Brianna Cooley joined CBC in 2020 and introduced her love of contemporary and modern genres to the company. For the production, in December, she has created original ballet and contemporary choreography. The production is a reimagined version of The Nutcracker which will not only, include ballet and pointe but also, hip-hop and contemporary genres.

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[Photo - Chocolate Ballerina Company: Elexus Filmore, Head Ballet Mistress; Roderick Phifer, Rehearsal Director; Chanel Holland, Founder; Brianna Cooley, Head Contemporary Mistress]

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