#TheDayWithTrae - TraeAnna Holiday recently attended the Pacific Northwest Ballet's world premiere of Sleeping Beauty at McCaw Hall. The event aimed to not only showcase the ballet but also to explore the accessibility and inclusivity of such art forms within the community. Holiday was particularly excited to have Sye Holland, a community member, join for his first ballet experience. The goal was to provide a genuine perspective from someone new to the ballet and to discuss any feelings of exclusion that might have previously existed.

The evening was filled with vibrant colors and a palpable sense of anticipation. Holland openly shared his lack of expectations, noting that while he appreciated the beauty and energy of the crowd, he was unsure what to expect from the ballet itself. He expressed nervousness but also a willingness to fully engage and enjoy the experience. Holiday emphasized the importance of opening doors to the ballet, opera, and theater, ensuring that these art forms are recognized as being for everyone.

During the intermission, Holiday and Holland discussed the exclusivity often associated with ballet. Holland shared that he only knew of two Black men who had ever been involved in ballet, and no Black women, which highlighted a lack of representation he perceived. He hoped to see diversity in the audience and was pleasantly surprised to see Black performers on stage. This led to a conversation about Pacific Northwest Ballet's intentional efforts toward diversity both on stage and within their staff.

Following the performance, Holland provided an honest review, noting the length of the show and some initial confusion about the plot. However, he was thoroughly impressed by the orchestra and the skill of the dancers, particularly the ballerinas on pointe. He also reiterated his desire to see more people from his community in attendance, believing that the experience could be eye-opening and impactful. The event overall served as a platform for both artistic appreciation and important conversations about access and representation in the arts.