Ballet 101

Ballet first started in the French court ceremonies and were very popular with King Louis XIV with himself as the center. Because of this all ballet terms are in French although ballet is usually associated with russian culture.



Abstract Ballet - A ballet without a plot. Movement expressed for its own sake.

Adage, Adagio - Slower controlled movements that must look at ease and gently flow into the next.

En l'air - In the air. A step is preformed with the working leg coming off the ground. Or a step that is done jumping.

Allegro - Fast movements, usually jumps that must look light and airy.

Arabesque - A basic movement in ballet where the working leg is extended straight to the back, with the back held erect over the standing leg creating straight lines. The leg may be on the floor or in the air.

Attitude - Similar to Arabesque, but the lifted leg is bent at a 90 degree angle.

Ballet Blanc - White Ballet. This phrase is used in ballets where the dancers wear long traditional white costumes.

Ballet Master, Ballet Misstress - A person in a ballet company who gives the daily company class and rehearses the repertoire.

Barre - A horisontal wooden bar fastened to the walls of the classroom or rehearsal hall which the dancer holds for support. Every class begins with exercises done at the barre.

Corps de ballet - The heart and soul of the ballet, the background dancers who do not appear as soloists.

Early Ballets
- La Fille Mal Gardée (The ill guarded girl) 1789
-La Sylphide 1832 One of the first ballets danced on the tips of the toes.
-Giselle 1841

Exercices au milieu - Exercices done in the middle of the practice room, without the support of the barre.

Extension - A term used to describe the ability of a dancer to raise and hold the leg en l'air.

Mazurka - A Polish folk dance in 3/4 time which has been introduced into a number of ballets as a character dance.

Pas - Step. Usually used when describing the number of dancers dancing together, Pas de deux Step of two, pas de quatre step of four.

Pas d'action - Dance action. A scene in a ballet that expresses emotion or tells a story by means of mime and dance.

Pointe Shoes - Used when dancing on the tips of the toes, were once only made of satin with darning to reenforce the toe. Now they are made with glue and other materials.

Polonaise - A processional dance in 3/4 time.

Romantic ballet - A style of ballet produced during the early nineteenth century where the mood of the ballet is accented.

Spotting - When a dancer focuses on one point wile turning.

Tableau - Picture. A striking or artistic grouping that forms a large picture on the stage.

Tarantella - A fast Italian dance in 6/8 time.

Turnout - The ability to turn out the legs from the hip joint. It is essential to classical dance, giving the dancer freedom of movement.

Variation - A solo dance from classical ballet.

Waltz - A ballroom dance in 3/4 time, it was first introduced into ballet in 1800.