Ballet Facts & Worksheets

One kind of dancing is ballet. Only dancers with specialized training are capable of doing it. The dancers work for a dance group and give theatrical performances. Domenico da Piacenza, who lived in the early 14th century, is credited with creating the first written mention of ballet.

See the fact file below for more information about Ballet, or you can download our 25-page Ballet worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

• Ballet entails the development of the dance, which is frequently a kind of made-up narrative that is conveyed through mime and dancing.
• Ballet is a way to express oneself. It offers the audience a narrative in a fresh way. 
• Choreography is the art of creating dance. The dancers study the choreography under the guidance of a teacher known as a ballet master or mistress. 
• Ballet is usually performed to music, often original music created for the ballet itself. 
• One well-known example of ballet in theater is The Nutcracker.

EARLY STAGES

• Ballet originated from Renaissance shows that employed all forms of performance art, much like major pop music concerts do now. 
• In France, these Italian ballets underwent additional development. The Queen’s Ballet Comedy, or Le Ballet Comique de la Reine, debuted in Paris in 1581. Balthazar de Beaujoyeux, a musician and dance instructor at Catherine de Medici’s court, directed the production. It was danced in a hall by amateurs. The members of the royal family were seated in galleries on three sides, while they watched from one end. Alongside the dances came songs and poetry.
• The foundation of classical ballet was established in the 17th century in France at the court of Louis XIV. He even got his nickname, the “Sun King,” from a ballet part he performed. The comedie-ballet was created by dramatist Molière around this same period.

MODERN TECHNIQUES

• Carlo Blasis (1797–1878) of Naples was the one who codified (organized and documented) ballet technique in the early 19th century. His four-hour dance courses were well-known for being the hardest training available at the time. 
• In France, “romantic ballet” was very popular in the first part of the 1800s.
• In the late 19th century, ballet took on an increasingly athletic form in Imperial Russia. 
• Ballet companies were established permanently in English-speaking nations later in the twentieth century. The Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo was established in New York, and the Royal Ballet was established in London (1938–1962).

COSTUMES

• The world of ballet depends heavily on ballet costumes. Representing a real, breathing picture of the scene, they are frequently the sole remnants of a production that remain.
• Renaissance and Baroque. Ballet originated in France and Italy during the Renaissance, when the first ballet outfits were made for court dress. The history of ballet costumes dates back to the early 1500s. Beautiful ballet outfits were made by combining flax woven into semitransparent gauze with cotton and silk.
• 17^th century. Throughout this century, women continued to wear court attire. The level of spectacular embellishment connected with ballet clothes was heightened by the use of silks, satins, and materials embroidered with genuine gold and valuable stones.
• 18^th century. The Paris Opera served as the hub for European ballet. In contrast to the Renaissance and seventeenth centuries, skirts were worn a few inches higher throughout this time. Ballet clothes evolved over time as additional patterns and hues were used. This luxurious feminine look was accentuated with flowers, flounces, ribbons, and lace, while the color palette of stage costumes was dominated by delicate pastel tones in citron, peach, pink, and pistachio.
• 19^th century. Early nineteenth-century fashion featured jewels, corsages, floral crowns, and form-fitting body garments. The female stage embodied the ideals of Romanticism. As corsets were used to accentuate a ballerina’s contours, costumes got considerably tighter. Costumes with plenty of glitter and jewels gained a lot of popularity.

EN POINTE, TECHNIQUE, and MOVEMENTS

• A ballerina’s routine is most stunning and elegant when she rises en pointe, balances on her toes while she pirouettes, takes tiny steps across the stage, or simply strikes a pose while standing on one or both feet. When the dancer rises en pointe, she appears so light that she seems to be floating up from the earth, giving her a beautiful, ethereal quality.
• Technique. The physical capacity to carry out the steps required for a dance is known as technique. Technique refining approaches are called for the ballet teacher or mistress who introduced them. For example, the Balanchine method is named for George Balanchine, the Vaganova method for Agrippina Vaganova, and the Cecchetti method for Enrico Cecchetti.
• Movements. Seven fundamental categories of movements can be identified in ballet (the development of this classification has been credited to at least two dancing masters from the 18th century, Noverre and Feuillet). These categories are:
  • plièr – to bend
  • etendre – to stretch
  • relever – to rise up
  • sauter – to jump or leap
  • elancer – to dart
  • glisser – to glide
  • tourner – to turn

BALLET STYLES

• Ballet, regarded as the most elegant dance style, serves as the basis for all other dance forms. Aside from posture and balance, which need flawless mastery, other forms of ballet have developed via exquisite and elegant movements that are still in use today.
• Classical. One of the first dance forms, classical ballet peaked in France and Russia in the 19th century and was based on conventional language and technique. Its principal features are the ballets’ elaborate scenery and costumes, as well as how well-planned and narrative-driven they are. Emphasis is placed on pointe work, symmetry in dancers, and elegant expressions.
• Neoclassical. Neoclassical ballet is distinct from classical ballet in that it is usually abstract. The preferred music also leans toward neoclassical, featuring composers like Stravinsky and Roussel. George Balanchine’s 1928 ballet “Apollo” is frequently cited as one of the most important neoclassical ballets, if not the first.
• Contemporary. Modern jazz and other dance genres’ skills are combined with parts of classical ballet to create a contemporary ballet, which emphasizes athleticism and faster, greater tempos. But unlike neoclassical ballet, it incorporates acting and intricate storylines into the dance, along with a lot of floor technique and leg turn-in.
• Romantic. Romantic ballet has a compelling narrative, drama, and passion. The style, which first appeared in the 19th century, was characterized by the advancement of pointe work, long, flowing tutus that represented softness, the predominance of female dancers, and a
  delicate aura.

BALLET TERMINOLOGY

• Plié. Dancers must bend and then straighten their knees in this technique, keeping their heels firmly planted on the floor and their feet pointed straight out.
• Ballon. Its meaning, “to bounce,” describes the ease and lightness of a jump rather than its height.
• Ėpaulement. Ballet dancers that adopt an épaulement stand at an angle towards their audience. When translated as “shouldering,” it describes how the shoulders relate to the lower body.
• Port de bras. “Arm movement,” or the way dancers shift their arms in different poses.
• En dehors. En dehors, which means “outward,” is added to other ballet steps. They specify the path that steps ought to take. Ballet dancers must simply turn away from their supporting leg and face the outside during a pirouette en dehors.
• Pointe. Tip-toe dancing is a technique utilized in both classical and modern ballet.
• Developpé. A developpé, which means “to develop” or “developing movement,” is when a working leg is brought up to the knee of the leg that supports the dancer and then stretched into an open position.
• Into seconde. Frequently indicates that a step should be taken “to the side” or that the ballet posture—typically classical ballet—needs to be performed with the feet in the second position.
• En bas. Translated as “low,” for situations in which the arms must be bent.

Ballet Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about Ballet across 25 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about Ballet. Domenico da Piacenza, who lived in the early 14th century, is credited with creating the first written mention of ballet.

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

1. Ballet Facts
2. Ballet Truth
3. Ask a Ballerina
4. Ballet, Did You Know?
5. Ballet Basics (Part 1)
6. Ballet Basics (Part 2)
7. Tutu to be True
8. It’s in the Style
9. Prima Ballerina
10. Hip to the Ballet Hop
11. Billy Elliot

Frequently Asked Questions

What is ballet?

Ballet is a classical dance form characterized by precise movements, fluidity, and grace. It originated in the Italian Renaissance courts during the 15th century and later developed into a highly technical art form in France and Russia.

What are some key elements of ballet technique?

Ballet technique emphasizes proper posture, turnout (rotation of the legs from the hips), extension, alignment, balance, and control. Movements are often performed on the tips of the toes (en pointe) for female dancers, showcasing exceptional strength and balance.

What are some famous ballets?

Iconic ballets include “Swan Lake,” “The Nutcracker,” “Giselle,” “The Sleeping Beauty,” and “Don Quixote.” Each ballet tells a story through a combination of dance, music, costumes, and stage design, often drawing from folklore, literature, or mythology.

What is the role of ballet in contemporary culture?

Ballet continues to be a significant art form globally, with professional companies, schools, and performances captivating audiences worldwide. It serves as a source of inspiration for other dance styles, theatrical productions, and even fashion.

How has ballet evolved over time?

Ballet has evolved significantly since its inception, with changes in technique, choreography, and presentation reflecting shifts in cultural norms and artistic preferences. Contemporary ballet incorporates elements of modern dance and experimentation, pushing boundaries while still honoring traditional techniques and aesthetics.

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