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American Ballet Theatre honored Cynthia Erivo at its fall gala, where guests including Katie Holmes, Debbie Allen and Misty Copeland attended a Halloween-themed evening. The program featured excerpts from six ballets and three other dance works, with proceeds supporting ABT productions, dancer training, education and programming.
American Ballet Theatre honored Cynthia Erivo at its fall gala, an evening themed around “Angels and Demons” that brought performers and other guests, including Katie Holmes, Debbie Allen and Misty Copeland, to a benefit for the company. Proceeds were designated for ABT productions, dancer training, education and programming, while the event’s one-night-only performance featured excerpts from the company’s repertory and other dance works.
The gala’s performances were curated by ABT artistic director Susan Jaffe. Ballet excerpts included works from Coppélia, Swan Lake, La Sylphide, Sylvia, The Dream and Whipped Cream. The program also included Frederick Ashton’s Dance of the Blessed Spirits, Michel Fokine’s Le Spectre de la Rose and Agnes de Mille’s Three Virgins and a Devil.
Erivo, known for her work in the performing arts and for starring in Wicked, was recognized for her contributions to the performing arts. The guest list reported by WWD also included Lake Bell and Rashid Johnson, Constance Wu, Gucci Westman, Matt Rogers, Nicky Hilton Rothschild, Sanford Biggers and Anh Duong. Copeland, a former ABT principal dancer, attended in her capacity as a board trustee.
Guests gathered for cocktails on a terrace before heading into the theater for the performance, followed by dinner and dancing. Debbie Allen wore a red Carolina Herrera gown, according to WWD. The report also noted that Allen was celebrating the announcement of a second season for the Netflix reboot of A Different World; that television development was separate from the ABT gala.
A Gala Supporting ABT’s Work
The event combined recognition of an individual artist with fundraising for ABT’s productions, dancer training, education and programming. Those proceeds connect the gala to the company’s ongoing artistic and educational work, rather than limiting it to a social gathering.
The performance lineup also placed a broad selection of repertory before gala guests, from familiar classical titles such as Swan Lake to works by Ashton, Fokine and de Mille. The source does not provide a fundraising total, so the amount raised and the scale of the event’s financial contribution have not been established.
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Inside the Halloween-Themed Program
The gala used “Angels and Demons” as its Halloween theme, reflected in the evening’s dress and atmosphere. WWD reported that Persia White described her look as inspired by Cruella de Vil, blending vintage and gothic elements. These details were part of the event’s theme, while the central program remained a benefit and performance for American Ballet Theatre.
Copeland’s attendance connected the evening to ABT’s own history: she is a former principal dancer and, as she told WWD, attended as a board trustee. She said she was there to support both the company and Erivo. The event thus brought together current supporters, artists and people associated with the company’s past and present.
““It’s incredible to be back and supporting the company as a board trustee and to support my friend Cynthia Erivo, who’s being honored tonight, and be a part of a fun program with a Halloween theme.””
— Misty Copeland, former ABT principal dancer and board trustee, speaking to WWD
Details the Report Does Not Give
The source report does not state the gala’s exact date, attendance total, ticket revenue or amount raised. It also does not specify how proceeds will be divided among productions, dancer training, education and programming. No further details were provided about the gala’s organizers’ fundraising goals or the financial result.
The report lists the performances in the program but does not provide a full running order, identify every performer in each selection or give audience and company responses after the event. Those details cannot be confirmed from the available account.
ABT’s Programs After the Gala
ABT said proceeds would support its productions, training, education and programming, but the report did not announce specific projects funded by the gala or a schedule for reporting the final proceeds. The company’s next related milestones are therefore its ongoing performances and programs; no gala follow-up date or additional announcement was specified.
Separately, Allen said the second season of A Different World had been green-lit and described plans to film in Atlanta on the campuses of Morehouse, Spelman and Clark. The source did not give a release date or further production schedule.
Key Questions
Who did American Ballet Theatre honor at its fall gala?
Cynthia Erivo was honored for her contributions to the performing arts.
Who attended the ABT fall gala?
Reported guests included Katie Holmes, Debbie Allen, Misty Copeland, Lake Bell, Constance Wu and others. The WWD report also named Jason Bard Yarmosky, Rashid Johnson, Gucci Westman, Matt Rogers, Nicky Hilton Rothschild, Sanford Biggers and Anh Duong.
What was the theme and performance program?
The gala’s Halloween theme was “Angels and Demons.” Its program included excerpts from six ballets and three additional dance works, curated by Susan Jaffe.
What will the gala proceeds support?
Proceeds were designated for ABT productions, dancer training, education and programming. The source report did not state how much was raised or how funds would be allocated.
When did the gala take place?
The source describes it as ABT’s 2026 fall gala but does not provide the exact date.
Source: wwd.com
