Misty Copeland to make Broadway debut

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Misty Copeland, who just recently made history when she became the first black ballerina to be the principal dancer at American Ballet Theater, is going to be dancing on Broadway.

The gorgeous dancer landed the role of Ivy in On the Town and will dance in the show from August 25 to September 6.

“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,’” Copeland told TIME. “If I’m going to be part of a Broadway show, I think this is the one.”

The musical itself, a 1944 Leonard Bernstein production, had its roots in the Jerome Robbins ballet performed at the American Ballet Theater and features the famous song, “New York, New York.” The role of Ivy, the female lead who falls for one of the sailors, was originally played by Japanese-American ballerina Sono Osato, and the casting choice was deliberate, as part of an attempt to make the ballet more racially diverse.

“It’s so strong and rich with the dancing, and it’s such an incredible role,” Copeland said. “Jerome Robbins was such an incredible part of ABT’s history, so it makes total sense.”