Talking Volumes ft. Misty Copeland

MPR News and the Star Tribune are proud to announce the 26th season of Talking Volumes. Talking Volumes is hosted by award-winning MPR News journalist Kerri Miller. We are happy to announce that we will be back in the historic Fitzgerald Theater this fall for five special events.

About the Author

Misty Copeland is a principal dancer with American Ballet Theatre, and in 2015 she was the first Black woman to be promoted to the position in the company’s seventy-five-year history. She is the New York Times bestselling author of several books, including Life in Motion, Ballerina Body, Black Ballerinas, The Wind at My Back, and the picture books Bunheads and Firebird. In 2022, she launched the Misty Copeland Foundation with its first signature program, BE BOLD, which aims to bring greater diversity, equity, and inclusion to dance, especially ballet.

About the Book

BUNHEADS, ACT 2: THE DANCE OF COURAGE (September 16, 2025; Penquin Young Readers)

In BUNHEADS, ACT 2: THE DANCE OF COURAGE, Misty and her friends learn the ballet, Don Quixote, the swoon-worthy tale of a knight searching for his Dulcinea – his one true love. The ballet is Misty’s best friend Cat’s favorite, and as such, her talent lands her a main role in the performance. But when Cat twists her ankle and can’t perform, she shows her fellow bunheads how to gracefully deal with disappointment while cheering them on for the big show. Bunheads, Act 2: The Dance of Courage will be an inspiration to ballet and dance lovers everywhere, and to anyone who has ever suffered a setback or had a dream to defend.

Published in 2020 and inspired by Copeland’s own early experiences in dance through the ballet Coppélia, BUNHEADS received widespread critical acclaim and was an instant New York Times bestseller. In a starred review, Booklist raved, “Few picture books feature skilled youth dancers and even fewer star a girl of color, but this beautifully does both while simultaneously conveying the joy dancing can bring.” The book was also featured on Good Morning America, the Today Show, Nightly News with Lester Holt, NPR’s Weekend Edition, People.com, and Shondaland.com, among many others.

Note: There is an 8 ticket limit.