Sisters shed light in documentary ‘Pointe of View: The Story of a Brown Ballerina’

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) — Reagan and Paige Nevels have danced at Ballet Western Reserve for most of their lives. Now, they’re going to be stars on the screen as well as the stage.

Sisters Reagan, 18, and Paige,17, have been members of Ballet Western Reserve since their preschool years, studying a collection of dance styles such as ballet, jazz, tap and more. Their most recent venture is starring in a documentary titled “Pointe of View: The Story of a Brown Ballerina.”

The documentary details some of the cultural norms and biases the sisters had to overcome and shines a light on their journey through dance.

“I feel like ballet is the vehicle to just shedding light on Brown ballerinas as a whole, shedding light on young people really achieving their dreams and goals through dance or through whatever they have a passion for,” Reagan said.

The film is a passion project for the girls as they reflect on their own experiences and hope to inspire others along the way.

“Do it. If you’re sitting at home thinking you should do ballet, I think it is a sign that you should do it,” Paige said.

Fifteen-year-old Camille Satterwhite-Rambert came all the way from North Carolina to act as the producer/director for the project.

“This project is so important to me because I believe we need to see more representation everywhere as Brown people and this Brown ballerina documentary and this story can inspire and also educate other people who don’t really know the challenges Brown ballerinas face, especially at such a young age,” Satterwhite-Rambert said.

The girls’ mom, Kacie Nevels, says her job is to support her daughters on their exciting journey.

“I am just excited about this film and the light it’s going to shed and all of the beautiful little Brown girls that will be inspired through them and through this story.”

The film process began in March and is expected to wrap by the end of December. Satterwhite-Rambert said they plan to do screenings of the documentary and enter it in film festivals.

“We just overall want to inspire young Brown girls to chase after their dreams, chase after their passions. Nothing is limitless because of the color of your skin. You can truly do anything you set your mind to,” Reagan said.

The film was made possible through fundraisers and hard work by those involved in its production.

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