Making History Today: Brown Ballerina Ambassador DianaStarr Robinson
DianaStarr Robinson is an 11-year-old ballerina from Seattle, WA. She started dancing when she was 2, and has been dancing at the Pacific Northwest Ballet School since 2018. DianaStarr was cast in the company’s 2021 Nutcracker performance as Clara, the child who receives the nutcracker doll as a present on Christmas Eve. In her role as Clara, DianaStarr made history. Read her interview below to find out how!
Related: Artistic Trailblazing with Brown Ballerina Ambassador Gracie Butler
Photo: DianaStarr Robinson as Clara; shot by Angela Sterling
What does it mean to you to make history?
To me, making history means achieving something that hasn’t been done, or achieving something someone has already done - but in a better way.
What history do you hope to make, or have you already made, as a dancer?
I have made history by being one of the two Black ballerinas at Pacific Northwest Ballet to be cast as Clara in The Nutcracker. There have never been two black ballerinas cast at the same time, and there have only been a total of five cast in the company's history.
Why is it important for you to leave a legacy behind?
It is important to leave a legacy because it helps others who come after me to have the same opportunities and a focus to build their dreams off of.
What other changes do you hope to see in the dance world in the future?
I hope to see more dancers of color in artistic director positions and owning their own companies. I hope ballet becomes more and more inclusive.
Related: Brown Ballerina Ambassador DianaStarr Robinson on Fulfilling Your Destiny
Who is a Black ballerina in history who inspires you and why?
Misty Copeland inspires me because she started late and was told it was impossible, but she continued to work hard and ultimately achieved her dreams.
Connect with DianaStarr and follow her dance journey on Instagram and Facebook!
Our Brown Ballerina Ambassador program is designed to create opportunities for young dancers in training to be seen as leaders and to eventually become mentors to other Brown Ballerinas in training. To find out more about our ambassador program and how you can support it, visit our Ambassador/Mentorship Program page.
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Note: This interview has been edited for concision and clarity.