BIDDING FAREWELL: Ballerina Misty Copeland dances “Firebird” as part of her final performance with American Ballet Theatre on October 22. (Photo by Rosalie O’Connor, courtesy of American Ballet Theatre)

Ballerina Misty Copeland’s farewell from American Ballet Theatre (ABT) is set for Wednesday, October 22 at the Koch Theatre in Lincoln Center. The performance will be streamed live to Alice Tully Hall, also at Lincoln Center, for free.

Hundreds of complimentary tickets will be distributed on the day of the event beginning at 4 p.m. at the Alice Tully Hall Box Office. Tickets will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, with a limit of two per person. The simulcast will begin at 6:15 p.m.

Celebrated as the first African American woman promoted to principal dancer in ABT’s 85-year history, Copeland is returning to the stage, for the company’s annual gala, after five years, to dance alongside her ABT peers in a specially curated program. While she is bidding farewell to ABT, Copeland is not retiring from dance. She is a bestselling author, and passionate advocate for equity in the arts. Through The Misty Copeland Foundation’s signature BE BOLD program, she has dedicated herself to ensuring that ballet is affordable, accessible, and fun for children of all backgrounds.

The evening will feature special tributes from Oprah Winfrey and Debbie Allen. Children and adult students from The Misty Copeland Foundation’s BE BOLD and BE BOLDER programs will be invited to attend the simulcast at Alice Tully Hall, along with several of the Foundation’s partner organizations. Visit abt.org for more information.