Positions and Basics
This position crosses the feet heel to toe.
What is Fifth Position?
A connecting step that literally means “cat-like.”
What is Pas de Chat?
“To glide.”
What is Glissade?
THE Christmas Ballet
What is The Nutcracker?
Ballonné
A jump that develops from one foot and lands on the other.
The action of turning the legs outward from the hips.
What is turnout?
A turn where the dancer brings the working leg through passé.
What is a Fouetté Turn?
“To assemble.”
What is Assemblé?
Featuring a prince and a woman who is sometimes an animal. Also a great Barbie movie.
What is Swan Lake?
Sissonne Ouverte
A jump in which the dancer brushes both legs outward before landing on one foot.
A pose where the working foot is placed at the knee.
What is passé?
A jump where the front and back legs switch in the air.
What is Changement?
“Whipped.”
What is Fouetté?
This ballet features the role of Aurora.
What is the Sleeping Beauty?
Retiré
A position where the thigh is raised to the second position and the toe is placed at the knee.
The slight forward or backward incline of the torso used artistically in ballet.
What is Cambré?
Arm movements often paired with ronde jambe that go to the floor, towards the bar, back in cambré, and returning to second.
What is circular port de bras?
“Little beaten steps.”
What is Petite Battement?
This ballet tells the story of the Wilis (brokenhearted ghosts).
What is Giselle?
Cabriole
A jump where the extended legs beat together in the air.
The alignment of shoulders and head used to create artistry and dimension in ballet.
What is Épaulement?
A turning jump where the dancer switches legs in the air and lands arabesque.
What is Tour Jeté?
“Cutting.”
A ballet inspired by a Shakespeare play. There is a lot of death.
What is Romeo and Juliet?
Gargouillade
A quick, intricate jump involving a double rond de jambe en l'air.