4.3 Ballet Basics for Musical Theater

Ballet fundamentals form the backbone of musical theater dance. From basic barre exercises to center combinations, these techniques build strength, flexibility, and grace. Mastering proper turnout, alignment, and épaulement creates a solid foundation for diverse choreography.

Ballet's influence on musical theater is profound. Its technical precision enhances performers' abilities across dance styles, while its expressive qualities enrich storytelling. Choreographers often incorporate ballet-inspired movements to add elegance and emotional depth to productions.

Ballet Fundamentals

Basic ballet barre exercises

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• Pliés involve bending the knees while maintaining turnout and alignment
  • Demi-plié bends the knees halfway (first, second, fourth, and fifth positions)
  • Grand plié fully bends the knees, heels may lift in second and fourth positions
• Tendus slide the working foot forward, side, or back while maintaining contact with the floor
  • Emphasize fully stretching the foot and leg, working through the demi-pointe
  • Practice tendus in first, third, and fifth positions
• Dégagés brush the working foot off the floor from a tendu position
  • Point the foot strongly and maintain turnout throughout the movement
  • Dégagés can be performed to the front, side, or back (devant, à la seconde, derrière)

Simple ballet center combinations

• Adagio consists of slow, controlled movements that emphasize balance, extension, and fluidity
  • Incorporate basic steps like développés, arabesques, and port de bras
  • Focus on smooth transitions and sustained lines (penché, écarté)
• Allegro involves brisk, lively movements that focus on quick footwork and jumps
  • Include steps such as sautés, changements, and assemblés
  • Emphasize precision, musicality, and coordination (glissades, pas de bourrées)

Proper ballet technique elements

• Turnout refers to the external rotation of the legs from the hips
  • Maintain turnout throughout all movements, avoiding rolling in or out
  • Engage the deep rotator muscles to support proper turnout (gluteus medius, piriformis)
• Alignment involves the proper placement of the body, with the ears, shoulders, hips, knees, and ankles in line
  • Engage core muscles to support proper alignment and maintain a lifted spine
  • Avoid tilting or twisting the pelvis, and keep the ribcage centered over the hips
• Épaulement refers to the position and carriage of the head, shoulders, and upper body
  • Coordinate épaulement with port de bras and other movements to create expression
  • Maintain an open and lifted chest, with the shoulders down and back (croisé, effacé)

Ballet's influence on musical theater

• Ballet provides a strong technical foundation for other dance styles used in musical theater
  • Jazz, tap, and contemporary dance all build upon ballet's emphasis on proper technique, alignment, and musicality
  • Ballet training enhances a performer's ability to execute complex choreography across various styles
• Musical theater choreography often incorporates ballet-inspired movements and positions
  • Lifts, turns, and jumps in musical theater draw from ballet technique (grand jeté, fouetté)
  • Ballet port de bras and épaulement add grace and elegance to musical theater dance
• Ballet's ability to convey emotion and narrative through movement influences musical theater storytelling
  • Choreographers use ballet-based movements to enhance character development and plot
  • Expressive qualities of ballet, such as extensions and lines, help convey the emotional arc of a story (Carousel dream ballet)