companies, and the program is described by ABT as "a bridge between ballet training and professional performance". Project Plié Project Plié is a diversity initiative launched in 2013 by Rachel Moore, who was then ABT's executive director and CEO. Following her departure, the project was overseen by artistic director Kevin McKenzie and Mary Jo Ziesel, ABT director of education and training. The program was inspired by ABT principal dancer Misty Copeland, and aims to "increase racial and ethnic representation in ballet and diversify America's ballet companies". The initiative is made up of a combination of partnerships within the community and within the industry in addition to scholarships and opportunities for exposure for children of color. Annually, as of 2013, Project Plié has awarded scholarships to young people ranging from ages 9 to 18 including to the ABT/JKO School, ABT's summer intensive programs and ABT's Young Dancer Workshop. See also A Dancer's Life, a 1972 documentary film about the company List of productions of Swan Lake derived from its 1895 revival References Notes Further viewing External links American Ballet Theatre entry in the Encyclopædia Britannica American Ballet Theatre entry in the Columbia Encyclopedia Archive footage of ABT (then Ballet Theatre) performing Interplay in 1949 at Jacob's Pillow Archive footage of ABT (then Ballet Theatre) performing Fancy Free in 1949 at Jacob's Pillow American Ballet Theatre at Google Cultural Institute Ballet Foundation collection of Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo and Ballet Theatre photographs, 1920s-1980s, held by the Dance Division, New York Public Library for the Performing Arts. Ballet companies in the United States History of ballet Performing groups established in 1937 1939 establishments in New York City Dance companies in New York City