Introduction

  

     

  (Above): Evelyn Cisneros. Photo Credit: Festival Ballet Theatre.

    There are perhaps only a limited number of ballet dancers who can be considered as having paved the way for a specific community in the ballet world. One of these individuals is undoubtedly Evelyn Cisneros. She is widely considered to be the first Hispanic prima ballerina in the U.S. Prima ballerinas are the principal dancers in their ballet companies who perform the lead roles in the ballets. Her being the first Latina woman to hold such a high-ranking position within a ballet company is a historic feat. I decided to focus on Cisneros precisely because of this astonishing accomplishment. She is Mexican-American, and I am a first-generation Latina as well. I feel a personal connection to her to a certain extent due to our similar cultural backgrounds. She is a trailblazer for the Latino community in the world of ballet, which is inspiring to me. Cultural diversity within any environment is important, especially in professional settings such as ballet companies. I admire her determination to create a metaphorical seat at the table for Latinas in the ballet world. Although this wasn’t without its fair share of obstacles. Throughout her life, Evelyn Cisneros overcame various struggles, eventually culminating in a significant ballet career that forever changed the landscape of this art form.