Ballet History
True or false: ballet was first danced in the renaissance courts of Italy.
True
How many bones are in a foot?
26
Explain/demonstrate how ballet fingers should be
Relaxed but stretched, thumbs in, pointer out, the rest together
What does glissade assembly mean in English?
To glide and assemble
Name at least 2 types of sissone you can do center.
Failli, overute, ferme
True or false: ballet was initially only allowed to be performed by men.
True
What 2 muscles are in the calf?
Soleus and Gastrocnemius
To prevent ankles from rolling in, what part of the foot needs to stay connected to the floor in first position?
The edge of the foot by your pinky toes.
What is it called when you make tiny movements to turn in a circle during adagio?
Promenade
Which famous turn of the century Russian ballerina said “master technique, then forget about it and be natural”?
Anna Pavlova
True or false: Ballet is the foundation of all forms of dance.
False! A ballet foundation is critical for lyrical and some commercial jazz but many dance forms do not depend on a ballet background. There was dance all over the world way before ballet was created.
Explain the correct alignment in a penchee and which muscles should be activated.
Keep the curve in the back, the leg has to lift higher for the upper body to go down and vice versa. The shoulders and rib cage need to stay squared towards the side. Back muscles, glutes, quads, ankles and toes.
What is en cloche?
Clock- named this for the pendulums that swing in large grandfather clocks.
Demonstrate efface versus ecarte
Michelle will judge
When doing a royale or enrechechat, what part of the body is the movement initiating from?
Inner thighs and hips
How old is ballet?
Around 500 years- started in the 1500s as court dances in Italy
What muscle is used to lift the leg over 90 degrees?
Illiopsoas
Where should the energy come from in a Battement?
The underside of the leg.
What is a Foutté sauté?
Foutte means to whip and sauté means to jump
Sous-sus translates to…
Over- under
Who was the first black principal female dancer for the ABT and what year was she named principal? (Will accept within 10 years)
Misty Copeland became a principal dancer for ABT in 2015.
Why is turning out in a Battement 2nd important?
Turning out allows room for your femur to lift higher. In a parallel position your femur hits the side of the pelvis when lifting side.
When at the barre, how should you move from one side to another?
Demi detourne towards the barre. Will also accept soutenu towards the barre.
Say the steps of the petit allegro while demonstrating it.
Glissade assemble 2x, Glissade pas de chat slide through 4th. Contratemps, sauté arabesque, sauté passe, tombe pas de bourree, royale.
SAVE FOR BONUS QUESTION
Write out the terminology of the grand allegro we’ve been working on.