--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I am trained, and I did do 'The…" description: "\"I am trained, and I did do 'The Nutcracker' in its right form, but at the time, they told me I was black and I'd never be in 'Swan Lake.' I went throug..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/00f/laurieann-gibson-15195_am_i-am-trained-and-i-did-do-the-nutcracker_1781747.jpg" --- # I am trained, and I did do 'The Nutcracker' in its right… ![“I am trained, and I did do 'The Nutcracker' in its right form, but at the time, they told me I was black and I'd never be in 'Swan Lake.' I went through all those prejudices in the ballet community, and I still emerged wonderfully trained and found my way to Alvin Ailey where there were familiar…” quote by Laurieann Gibson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/00f/laurieann-gibson-15195_am_i-am-trained-and-i-did-do-the-nutcracker_1781747.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/00f/laurieann-gibson-15195_am_i-am-trained-and-i-did-do-the-nutcracker_1781747.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/00f/laurieann-gibson-15195_am_i-am-trained-and-i-did-do-the-nutcracker_1781747.jpg) > “I am trained, and I did do 'The Nutcracker' in its right form, but at the time, they told me I was black and I'd never be in 'Swan Lake.' I went through all those prejudices in the ballet community, and I still emerged wonderfully trained and found my way to Alvin Ailey where there were familiar faces.” [Laurieann Gibson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurieann-gibson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Despite racial barriers in ballet, perseverance led to training and a career with Alvin Ailey, highlighting resilience and finding supportive communities. **In simple terms:** Racial bias in ballet was overcome through persistence and community. Key Takeaway Persist and seek inclusive spaces. Themes dance race perseverance community inclusion Mood determined hopeful Type inspirational social commentary When to use this quote - audition preparation - mentor seeking - performance opportunities - networking Key Concepts social justice artistic development identity Questions to Reflect On - How can institutions become more inclusive? - What role does community play in overcoming obstacles? A Different Perspective Systemic bias may persist despite individual success. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ballet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ballet/) [Community](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/community/) [Dance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dance/) [Faces](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faces/) [Familiar faces](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/familiar-faces/) [Lake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lake/) [Prejudices](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prejudices/) [Swan lake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/swan-lake/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [I'm born originally in Toronto, and I have what I call my 'Fame' story. 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Wilson later said that there should be a “consilience” between art and science. 79 Former NASA astronaut Mae Jemison took selected…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-lewis/sociobiologist-edward-o-wilson-later-said-that-there-should-be-a/) [Sarah Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-lewis/) > [It's called the Ailey American Dance Theatre, not the Alvin Ailey African-American Dance Theatre. One thing also that Alvin wanted people to recognize, he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-jamison/it-s-called-the-ailey-american-dance-theatre-not-the-alvin-ailey/) [Judith Jamison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-jamison/) > [“He had danced with fair maidens before, but Odette was different. 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