Ballet: Vocabulary Positions & Movements

First Position The heels touch each other and the feet faceoutward, trying to form a straight line, theballs of the feet are turned out

Second Position The feet face outward, trying to form a straightline, the balls of the feet are turned out, heelsshoulder width apart.

Third Position One foot in front of other with the front footheel touching the arch of the back foot.

Fourth Position One foot in front of other with the front footheel a foot length in front of the arch of theback foot. (3 rd position with a soccer ball size space)

Fifth Position One foot in front of other front heel touchingback toes and back toes touching front heel

Arm Positions Every ballet step originates from one of thefive basic feet positions of ballet. There are also five basic positions of the arms in ballet.(Both the names and actual positions varybased on method. The positions shown hereillustrate the French Method.)five basic feet positions Practice these positions, as they form the basisfor all of ballet dancing.

First Position away from the body. Both arms should be rounded with your fingersalmost touching. Relax your hands and shoulders.

Second Position From first position, raise your arms to the side. Keep your arms slightly rounded. Lower your elbows slightly below your shoulders. Make sure your wrists are lower than yourelbows. Keep your shoulders down, your neck long andyour chin up

Third Position Raise your left arm over your head, slightly forward. Round your right arm to the side at belly buttonheight. Keep the palm of your hand turned forward. (opposite like walking)

Fourth Position Bring your left arm forward, slightly rounded at theheight of your chest. Raise your right arm above your head, slightlyrounded.

Fifth Position Starting with arms in first position, raise the armsover the head. You should be able to see your handswithout moving your head. Round your arms with your elbows slightly bent. Your hands should be about 6 inches apart. Make sure your palms are facing inward. (Note: There are actually three positions of the arms in fifth position in ballet: low, middle and high fifth.The illustration pictured is what?)

Other Positions Demi-Plie Demi, meaning half and Plie meaning, smooth and continuous bending of the knees. Grand-Plie A full plié, or bending of the knees. The back should be straight and aligned with the heels, andthe legs are turned out with knees over the feet.

Tendu Literally, "stretched” the working leg is extended to either the front, side or back, gradually along the floor untilonly the tip of the toe remains touching thefloor before lifting.

Soutenu series of turns in quick succession. The dancermust first execute a demi plié while extending theleading leg in a tendu position and then steppingup on a tight leg and beginning the turn whilesimultaneously bringing the other leg up to araised position while finishing a full 360 degreeturn.

Arabesque the position of the body supported on one leg,with the other leg extended behind the bodywith the knee straight. The standing leg maybe either bent, in plie, or straight.

Passe Pointed foot of the working leg passes theknee of supporting leg Releve Raise the body on one or two feet using thetips of the toes or ball of the foot.

Sauté - Jump

Ballet A classical dance form demanding grace and precision and employing formalized steps and gestures set in intricate, flowing patterns to create expression through movement.

Ballerina Lead female dancer who has put in years of hard work.

Choreographer A person who makes up a routine used in a dance performance.

Pointe Shoes Original and unique (no 2 are the same) Hand made Make a ballerina look magical, daring, and like she is floating on air Made of a rigid box composed of layers of fabric, cardboard, paper and glue Male dancers did not normally wear these shoes

Story Ballets tell a story a narrative action Elements of plot: characters beginning & end

Plotless Ballets have no story line images are created from body movements Theatrical elements are used to interpret music Body movements express or provoke emotion

Classical Ballet was popular in 19 th century Russia Movements were graceful and flowing Made up of story ballets Turn-out legs and pointe work

Neo-Classical Ballet is non-narrative Simple sets and costumes One act Increased speed, energy and attack

Contemporary Ballet is influenced by modern dance Floor work Turn-in of the legs Pointe shoes and bare feet