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Random Ballet Terms
Ballet Center
5 Ballet Positions
Literal Definitions
Traveling Movements
100
A theatrical art form using dance, music, and scenery to convey a story
What is Ballet
100

Facing the front of the room or audience

Efface

100
Position where heels are touching and arms are curved in front of the body as if holding a beach ball
What is First Position
100
"Chain" or "Link"
What is Chaine
100
"To Chase," a slide or gallop done by pushing the leading foot along the floor in a plie and springing up into the air where both legs meet stretched
What is Chasse
200
The wood railing fastened to the dance studio wall, which is used for stretching and various ballet warm-ups
What is Barre
200

Lifting off the floor on one leg, and landing on two. Legs assemble at the same time and return to fifth position

Assemble

200
The position where your feet are heel-toe and both arms are raised above your head slightly curved
What is Fifth Position
200
"Disengaged"
What is Degage
200

a jump from 5th to 5th with an overlapping action with each leg bending and unfurling, one after the other

Pas de chat

300
This term literally means to rise or rise to the toes. A movement in which the heels are lifted off the ground and only the toes or balls of the feet are touching the floor.
What is Releve
300

fast and dynamic movements, usually jumping steps and sequences

Allegro

300
Position where legs are apart, feet are turned out, and arms are out to the side with a slight curve
What is Second Position
300

to the back

Derriére

300
A "pricked" traveling turn which starts with the working leg in a demi plie and springing up to a turned-out passe position while the supporting leg is straightened
What is Pique
400
The carriage of arms or passage of arms from one position to another
What is Port de Bras
400

A dancer stands with legs crossed at an angle to the audience. The disengaged leg may be crossed in the front or in the back

Croisé

400
Position where both feet are turned out in front of each other, with a space in between and one arm is above the head slightly curved with the other arm in front of the body slightly curved
What is Fourth Position
400
"Stretched or pulled"
What is Tendu
400
A series of many tiny steps done in releve or on point that make the dancer seem to glide across the stage
What are Bourees
500
A tight fifth position in releve. The literal definition is under-over
What is Sous-sus
500

A succession of slow, soft, lyrical, and continuous movements; creates the illusion that the positions flow from one into another.

Adagio

500

Position where both feet are turned out and the heel of the front foot is at the arch of the back foot, and one arm is above the head while the other arm is out to the side

What is Third Position

500

to the front

Devant

500

a sliding movement from 5th to 5th

Glissade