1 00:00:04,738 --> 00:00:07,774 Jonathan Batista is passionate about dance. 2 00:00:07,774 --> 00:00:07,807 Jonathan Batista is passionate about dance. 3 00:00:10,276 --> 00:00:13,680 He grew up in one of the poorest slums in Rio de Janeiro. 4 00:00:13,680 --> 00:00:13,713 He grew up in one of the poorest slums in Rio de Janeiro. 5 00:00:14,014 --> 00:00:17,450 I grew up in a very humble neighborhood called City of God. 6 00:00:17,450 --> 00:00:17,484 I grew up in a very humble neighborhood called City of God. 7 00:00:17,751 --> 00:00:21,087 And that's where I had my first steps in dance. 8 00:00:21,087 --> 00:00:21,121 And that's where I had my first steps in dance. 9 00:00:21,221 --> 00:00:23,590 With each step, his skills improved. 10 00:00:23,590 --> 00:00:23,623 With each step, his skills improved. 11 00:00:23,823 --> 00:00:25,525 So did his confidence. 12 00:00:25,525 --> 00:00:28,428 He credits his parents for encouraging him to stick with it. 13 00:00:28,428 --> 00:00:28,461 He credits his parents for encouraging him to stick with it. 14 00:00:28,661 --> 00:00:32,665 I think my parents really wanted to keep me busy, so 15 00:00:32,665 --> 00:00:36,569 I think my parents just wanted me to become very focused and disciplined. 16 00:00:36,569 --> 00:00:36,603 I think my parents just wanted me to become very focused and disciplined. 17 00:00:36,703 --> 00:00:41,274 Batista's commitment took him from the slums to a scholarship at the prestigious 18 00:00:41,274 --> 00:00:45,478 English National Ballet School, where he took the stage for the first time. 19 00:00:45,478 --> 00:00:45,512 English National Ballet School, where he took the stage for the first time. 20 00:00:46,079 --> 00:00:50,316 That experience touched his heart and fueled his desire to dream big. 21 00:00:50,316 --> 00:00:50,350 That experience touched his heart and fueled his desire to dream big. 22 00:00:50,517 --> 00:00:53,386 I realized it was possible for me to become a dancer. 23 00:00:53,386 --> 00:00:59,259 One day when I saw a Black principal dancer on a stage of the Royal Ballet 24 00:00:59,259 --> 00:00:59,292 One day when I saw a black principal dancer on a stage of the Royal Ballet 25 00:00:59,959 --> 00:01:01,761 of London, Carlos Acosta. 26 00:01:01,761 --> 00:01:01,795 of London, Carlos Acosta. 27 00:01:04,831 --> 00:01:08,368 Batista held on to his dreams and made his way to North America. 28 00:01:08,368 --> 00:01:08,401 Batista held on to his dreams and made his way to North America. 29 00:01:08,668 --> 00:01:10,537 But it was a very long road. 30 00:01:10,537 --> 00:01:14,407 I felt like I was almost a pioneer in most of the companies 31 00:01:14,407 --> 00:01:14,441 I felt like I was almost a pioneer in most of the companies 32 00:01:14,741 --> 00:01:18,845 that that I was in because it was certainly new. 33 00:01:18,845 --> 00:01:18,878 that that I was in because it was certainly new. 34 00:01:19,279 --> 00:01:23,883 You know, there was a certain amount of resistance 35 00:01:23,883 --> 00:01:29,089 toward my talent because, you know wait, you're a Black man you don't fit the mold. 36 00:01:29,089 --> 00:01:29,122 toward my talent because, you know wait, you're a black man you don't fit the mold. 37 00:01:29,222 --> 00:01:34,994 Batista came to the Pacific Northwest Ballet in 2021, and in late 2022, 38 00:01:34,994 --> 00:01:35,028 Batista came to the Pacific Northwest Ballet in 2021, and in late 2022, 39 00:01:35,128 --> 00:01:40,533 PNB promoted him to principal dancer, the highest level a dancer can attain. 40 00:01:40,533 --> 00:01:40,567 PNB promoted him to principal dancer, the highest level a dancer can attain. 41 00:01:41,267 --> 00:01:43,870 This promotion wasn't just something for him to celebrate. 42 00:01:43,870 --> 00:01:43,903 This promotion wasn't just something for him to celebrate. 43 00:01:44,037 --> 00:01:47,273 He is the first Black principal dancer at PNB. 44 00:01:47,273 --> 00:01:47,307 He is the first black principal dancer at PNB. 45 00:01:47,907 --> 00:01:52,679 It's been really special, such a special moment for myself, my family, our community, 46 00:01:52,679 --> 00:01:52,712 It's been really special, such a special moment for myself, my family, our community, 47 00:01:53,446 --> 00:01:57,917 Black culture and the advancement of Blacks and people of color in dance. 48 00:01:57,917 --> 00:01:57,951 black culture and the advancement of blacks and people of color in dance. 49 00:02:00,286 --> 00:02:04,357 Batista regularly partners with fellow dancer Angelica Generosa, 50 00:02:04,357 --> 00:02:04,390 Batista regularly partners with fellow dancer Angelica Generosa, 51 00:02:04,791 --> 00:02:08,261 who herself has had to break down stereotypes and persevere. 52 00:02:08,261 --> 00:02:08,294 who herself has had to break down stereotypes and persevere. 53 00:02:08,528 --> 00:02:12,732 Love of ballet, I wanted to be with New York City Ballet on the East Coast. 54 00:02:12,732 --> 00:02:18,104 And unfortunately, I was not hired just by my appearance and of looks. 55 00:02:18,104 --> 00:02:21,708 And I don't think it was about talent or anything of that 56 00:02:21,708 --> 00:02:21,741 And I don't think it was about talent or anything of that 57 00:02:21,741 --> 00:02:24,077 it was just I didn't fit the mold. 58 00:02:24,077 --> 00:02:28,181 And I had a lot of image things 59 00:02:28,181 --> 00:02:28,214 And I had a lot of image things 60 00:02:28,848 --> 00:02:30,283 ever since that moment. 61 00:02:30,283 --> 00:02:33,119 Angelica is also a principal dancer at PNB. 62 00:02:33,119 --> 00:02:33,153 Angelica is also a principal dancer at PNB. 63 00:02:33,386 --> 00:02:38,558 She still tears up when she recalls a touching conversation she overheard at a performance. 64 00:02:38,558 --> 00:02:38,591 She still tears up when she recalls a touching conversation she overheard at a performance. 65 00:02:38,958 --> 00:02:42,462 We were doing Cinderella, and that was one of like my poster. 66 00:02:42,462 --> 00:02:42,495 We were doing Cinderella, and that was one of like my poster. 67 00:02:43,630 --> 00:02:45,765 I had a poster and 68 00:02:45,765 --> 00:02:50,737 I saw this little girl and she was up against the poster and she looked very similar to me. 69 00:02:50,737 --> 00:02:50,770 I saw this little girl and she was up against the poster and she looked very similar to me. 70 00:02:51,137 --> 00:02:53,039 And she was like, that's like me. 71 00:02:53,039 --> 00:02:55,775 And I was like, that's that's everything. 72 00:02:55,775 --> 00:02:55,808 And I was like, that's that's everything. 73 00:02:55,875 --> 00:02:58,077 Makes me teary eyed thinking about it. 74 00:02:58,077 --> 00:02:58,111 Makes me teary eyed thinking about it. 75 00:03:00,113 --> 00:03:01,981 When we see families 76 00:03:01,981 --> 00:03:07,353 coming to the theater and feeling represented and seeing their own reflections on stage. 77 00:03:07,353 --> 00:03:07,387 coming to the theater and feeling represented and seeing their own reflections on stage. 78 00:03:07,587 --> 00:03:09,222 That's such a beautiful moment. 79 00:03:09,222 --> 00:03:09,255 That's such a beautiful moment. 80 00:03:10,757 --> 00:03:11,324 That's wonderful. 81 00:03:11,324 --> 00:03:13,660 I mean, people people see the change. They see what's happening. 82 00:03:13,660 --> 00:03:13,693 I mean, people people see the change. They see what's happening. 83 00:03:14,160 --> 00:03:18,998 PNB's push toward diversity and outreach is largely due to artistic director Peter Boal. 84 00:03:18,998 --> 00:03:19,032 And these push toward diversity and outreach is largely due to artistic director Peter Boal. 85 00:03:19,465 --> 00:03:22,969 He says he even treasures the moments that don't get much attention. 86 00:03:22,969 --> 00:03:23,002 He says he even treasures the moments that don't get much attention. 87 00:03:23,236 --> 00:03:26,806 I mean, I really think the reward for me is in the smaller moments. 88 00:03:26,806 --> 00:03:26,839 I mean, I really think the reward for me is in the smaller moments. 89 00:03:27,941 --> 00:03:31,477 It's sometimes just as small as an individual's reaction to something. 90 00:03:31,477 --> 00:03:33,680 So some kid on a field trip walking through the building 91 00:03:33,680 --> 00:03:33,713 So some kid on a field trip walking through the building 92 00:03:33,913 --> 00:03:36,849 and looking in a studio and riveted by somebody that 93 00:03:36,849 --> 00:03:36,883 and looking in a studio and riveted by somebody that 94 00:03:37,317 --> 00:03:41,487 and then they see that that they could achieve what that person has achieved. 95 00:03:41,487 --> 00:03:41,521 and then they see that that they could achieve what that person has achieved. 96 00:03:41,988 --> 00:03:45,925 PNB for many years, has provided a lot of different programs aimed at making 97 00:03:45,925 --> 00:03:50,697 the company more available to everyone, especially young people. 98 00:03:50,697 --> 00:03:50,730 the company more available to everyone, especially young people. 99 00:03:54,267 --> 00:03:56,135 Programs like Dance Chance, 100 00:03:56,135 --> 00:04:00,073 which is a partnership with Seattle schools and offers free classes to students. 101 00:04:00,073 --> 00:04:00,106 which is a partnership with Seattle schools and offers free classes to students. 102 00:04:04,077 --> 00:04:07,447 The ballet company also offers a Pay What You Can performance 103 00:04:07,447 --> 00:04:07,480 The ballet company also offers a Pay What You Can performance 104 00:04:07,680 --> 00:04:11,117 for all of their regular season offerings on the Thursday night show. 105 00:04:11,117 --> 00:04:11,150 for all of their regular season offerings on the Thursday night show. 106 00:04:12,118 --> 00:04:15,922 And they also have an IDEA committee, which stands for Inclusion, 107 00:04:15,922 --> 00:04:15,955 And they also have an IDEA committee, which stands for Inclusion, 108 00:04:16,189 --> 00:04:18,591 Diversity, Equity and Accessibility. 109 00:04:18,591 --> 00:04:18,625 Diversity, Equity and Accessibility. 110 00:04:19,092 --> 00:04:23,529 This group works to make sure the company is relevant, accessible and welcoming to everyone. 111 00:04:23,529 --> 00:04:23,563 This group works to make sure the company is relevant, accessible and welcoming to everyone. 112 00:04:23,896 --> 00:04:26,666 Something Boal recognizes wasn't always the case. 113 00:04:26,666 --> 00:04:26,699 Something Boal recognizes wasn't always the case. 114 00:04:27,033 --> 00:04:28,268 We got the history of the company. 115 00:04:28,268 --> 00:04:32,405 There has not been diverse representation in a way that we would like it to be. 116 00:04:32,405 --> 00:04:32,438 There has not been diverse representation in a way that we would like it to be. 117 00:04:32,639 --> 00:04:35,708 And I think, you know, you can look at that in all kinds of different ways. 118 00:04:35,708 --> 00:04:35,742 And I think, you know, you can look at that in all kinds of different ways. 119 00:04:38,144 --> 00:04:43,483 Kiyon Ross is also a driving force for the changes at PNB and works closely with Boal. 120 00:04:43,483 --> 00:04:43,516 Kyon Ross is also a driving force for the changes at PNB and works closely with Boal. 121 00:04:43,883 --> 00:04:47,687 He remembers what things were like when he came to the ballet more than 20 years ago. 122 00:04:47,687 --> 00:04:47,720 He remembers what things were like when he came to the ballet more than 20 years ago. 123 00:04:48,087 --> 00:04:54,327 When I was dancing in the company, I was one very, very few dancers of color in the company. 124 00:04:54,327 --> 00:04:57,897 And now to look and to see the company with all these new diverse faces. 125 00:04:57,897 --> 00:04:59,032 It's just really exciting. 126 00:04:59,032 --> 00:04:59,065 It's just really exciting. 127 00:05:01,567 --> 00:05:03,736 PNB is not only helping current dancers 128 00:05:03,736 --> 00:05:08,074 achieve their dreams, they're also inspiring future generations of dancers. 129 00:05:08,074 --> 00:05:08,107 achieve their dreams, they're also inspiring future generations of dancers. 130 00:05:08,474 --> 00:05:13,713 And they hope to inspire more conversations on the importance and power of diversity. 131 00:05:13,713 --> 00:05:13,746 And they hope to inspire more conversations on the importance and power of diversity. 132 00:05:13,946 --> 00:05:18,584 You know, we're listening to those challenges that we face as a society, 133 00:05:18,584 --> 00:05:18,618 You know, we're listening to those challenges that we face as a society, 134 00:05:19,252 --> 00:05:22,388 and it reflects in organizations as well. 135 00:05:22,388 --> 00:05:22,422 and it reflects in organizations as well. 136 00:05:22,622 --> 00:05:29,429 And now we are taking the lead in the city, in the country, and in showing that it is possible 137 00:05:29,429 --> 00:05:29,462 And now we are taking the lead in the city, in the country, and in showing that it is possible 138 00:05:29,929 --> 00:05:34,701 to have the diversity, it is possible to have tough conversations 139 00:05:34,701 --> 00:05:37,637 and yet move forward. 140 00:05:37,637 --> 00:05:37,670 and yet move forward.