Ballet, a highly refined and expressive art form, possesses its own unique vocabulary, much like any specialized discipline. While “dancer” is a perfectly acceptable and widely understood term, the world of ballet offers a richer lexicon to describe its performers. Understanding these alternative terms not only deepens your appreciation for ballet but also provides insight into the nuances of roles and expertise within this captivating dance style. This glossary will expand your ballet vocabulary beyond the basics, helping you recognize and understand the diverse roles within a ballet company.
Terms Specifically for Ballet Dancers
Within ballet, the term “dancer” itself takes on more specific forms depending on gender and status.
Ballerina – This is perhaps the most widely recognized synonym for a female ballet dancer. It specifically refers to a woman who is a principal dancer in a ballet company. The term carries a connotation of grace, skill, and leading status within the company.
Danseur – The male equivalent of “ballerina,” danseur refers to a male ballet dancer. Like ballerina, it often implies a dancer of high rank and skill, particularly in classical ballet contexts. Sometimes you might see the term Danseur Noble, which specifically describes a male dancer who performs the classical roles of princes and noble characters, requiring elegance and refined technique.
Principal Dancer – Regardless of gender, a principal dancer is at the highest rank within a ballet company. They are the stars, the performers who take on leading roles in productions. These dancers possess exceptional technical prowess and artistry, having often dedicated their lives to mastering ballet.
Soloist – Below principal dancers are soloists. These dancers perform solo roles or prominent parts within a larger ensemble. A soloist is a step away from the top rank and demonstrates significant skill and artistry.
Corps de Ballet – This term refers to the main group of dancers in a ballet company. The corps de ballet works as an ensemble, performing synchronized movements and creating patterns that frame and support the principal dancers and soloists. While not soloists, dancers in the corps de ballet are highly skilled and essential to the overall impact of a ballet performance.
Ballet Terminology Beyond Describing Dancers
While understanding different terms for dancers is key, exploring further ballet vocabulary enriches your appreciation.
Ballet Moves Performed by Dancers
Ballet is defined by specific movements, each with its own term. Dancers spend years perfecting these.
Assemblé (assam blay) – Meaning “assembled,” this move describes a dancer jumping off one foot and landing on two feet. The legs “assemble” together in the air before returning to a fifth position landing.
Grande Jeté (grand jeh tay) – A “large jeté” is a dramatic, big jump where the dancer leaps from one foot to the other. The working leg brushes powerfully into the air, creating an impression of being thrown.
Plié (plee ay) – Simply meaning “bent,” plié refers to the bending of the knees. It is a fundamental movement in ballet, used as a preparation and landing for jumps, turns, and many other steps.
Pirouette (peer o wet) – A pirouette is a complete turn of the body performed on one foot, either on pointe (for women) or demi-pointe (half-pointe). It requires balance, control, and focused spotting to execute cleanly.
Tour en l’air (tour on lair) – “Turn in the air.” This is typically a step for male dancers, though some choreography incorporates it for ballerinas. It’s a turning jump where the dancer rotates in the air before landing.
Ballet Positions Dancers Embody
Specific body positions are fundamental to ballet technique.
Arabesque (Ah rah besk) – A classic and elegant pose where the dancer stands on one leg with the other leg extended straight behind the body. The arms are typically extended to create a long, flowing line.
Attitude (ah tea tude) – Similar to an arabesque, but in attitude, the extended leg is raised behind the body and bent at the knee to a 90-degree angle. This creates a curved and sculpted line.
Croisé (quo say) – “Crossed.” A dancer in a croisé position stands with their legs crossed to the audience. The working leg can be crossed either in front or behind, creating a visually closed and angled position.
Turn-out – This is not a position itself, but a foundational principle of ballet. Turn-out refers to the rotation of the legs outwards from the hip joints, ideally achieving a 90-degree angle. This enhances flexibility, range of motion, and the aesthetics of ballet lines.
Types of Ballet Showcasing Different Dancers and Styles
Ballet isn’t monolithic; different styles exist.
Classical Ballet – This is the traditional, academic style of ballet, emphasizing precise technique, codified steps, and often telling narrative stories. Classical ballet showcases dancers’ technical purity and adherence to established forms.
Modern Ballet – Emerging in the 20th century, modern ballet is more experimental and seeks to break away from some of the rigid rules of classical ballet. It allows for greater freedom of expression and movement, pushing the boundaries of ballet vocabulary and often demanding versatility from dancers.
People of the Ballet Supporting the Dancers
Many individuals contribute to the world of ballet beyond just the dancers.
Choreographer – The creator of ballets and dances. The choreographer invents the steps, combinations, and overall artistic vision that dancers bring to life.
Repetiteur – A vital role in a ballet company, the repetiteur leads daily company classes to maintain dancers’ technique and rehearses existing ballets in the company’s repertoire, ensuring performances are polished and true to the choreography.
Balletomane (bal lay toe mane) – A ballet enthusiast or fan. Balletomanes are passionate audience members who deeply appreciate and follow the art form and its dancers.
Additional Terms Enriching a Dancer’s World
Beyond roles and movements, other terms are crucial to understanding ballet.
Choreography – Refers to the complete set of steps, combinations, and patterns that make up a ballet or dance piece. It’s the language of dance, crafted by the choreographer.
Pointe Shoes – Specialized satin shoes worn by female dancers to dance on their pointes (toes). Reinforced at the toe with layers of hardened material, pointe shoes allow dancers to create the illusion of weightlessness and ethereal grace.
Tutu – The iconic skirt of classical ballet. The short, classical tutu is made of layers of net, while a romantic tutu is longer, reaching below the calf.
Barre – The horizontal wooden bar in a studio that dancers use for support during warm-up exercises at the beginning of every ballet class.
Centre Practice – Exercises performed in the center of the studio without the barre’s support. These build strength, balance, and control, mirroring barre exercises but demanding independent stability.
Pas de Deux – “Step for two,” a dance for two performers, often a central and technically demanding piece within a ballet.
Adagio (u da zhe-o) – Slow, graceful, and fluid movements. Adagio sections in ballet showcase sustained lines, balance, and seamless transitions between poses.
Allegro (a leg grow) – Fast, lively, and brisk movements, often involving jumps and quick sequences. Allegro sections demonstrate dancers’ agility, elevation, and dynamic energy.
Conclusion
Expanding your vocabulary beyond simply “dancer” to include terms like ballerina, danseur, principal dancer, and understanding the nuances of corps de ballet provides a more informed perspective on the ballet world. Learning ballet terminology, from the names of steps like plié and jeté to positions like arabesque and attitude, further unlocks a deeper appreciation for the dedication, skill, and artistry of ballet dancers and the rich language of this captivating art form. By embracing this specialized vocabulary, you enhance your ability to understand, discuss, and fully appreciate the beauty and complexity of ballet.
