Dance

Ballet: A classical dance form characterized by precision, formalized steps, and gestures.
Choreography/Choreographer: The design and arrangement of dance movements.
Mise-en-scene: A term meaning "on the scene", detailing the stage design and visual arrangement in dance.
Acrobatics: A performance involving feats of balance, agility, and coordination.
Mime vs Pantomime:
- Mime: Movement suggesting actions without spoken words, often depicting actions of people or animals.
- Pantomime: Acting out dramatic action nonverbally.

Ballet: A formal style with strict techniques.
Soft Shoe vs On Point: Varieties of ballet footwear.
Jazz: Originating from African-American cultural dances.
Tap: A style that emphasizes rhythmic footwork.
Modern: A genre that encourages expression through natural movement.
Lyrical/Musical: A blend of ballet and jazz with expressive storytelling.
Ceremonial or Ritual: Traditional dances performed for cultural significance.
Folk: Community-based dances reflecting cultural stories.
Ballroom: Partner dances including styles like waltz, swing, and tango.
Street: Urban dance styles such as breakdancing.

Choreography: Structured movement that can narrate a story.
Music: Integral in setting the tone and rhythm for dance.
- Musicality: The ability of movements to harmonize with music.
Mise-en-scene: Encompassing clothing, staging, sets, and props that enhance the dance experience.

Etymology: "Balayer" in French means "to sweep".
Formal Origins:
- Established in 1669 by Louis XIV with the Académie Royale de Musique.
- The Paris Opera Ballet marks the first professional theatrical ballet company.
- Other notable companies include Royal Danish Ballet, Imperial Ballet, The Royal Ballet (1931), San Francisco Ballet (1933), and more.

1500-1600’s: Originated in Renaissance Italy influenced by Catherine de Medici's court ballets, integrating dance, poetry, and music.
1600’s: Evolved into a performance-focused art form under Louis XIV in France, with Pierre Beauchamp establishing a dance notation system.
18th Century: Ballet recognized as a serious art form; Noverre's works emphasized character portrayal in dance.
Golden Age (1830-1850): Dominance of ballerinas, pointe work, and virtuosic techniques, significantly impacted by Romanticism.

Modern adaptations of ballet with influences from various styles and choreographers.
Famous performances include Swan Lake (1877), Sleeping Beauty (1890), and The Nutcracker (1892).

Developed early 20th century, distinguished from ballet through exploration of uninhibited movement.
Influenced by tribal dances, emphasizing rhythm and angular body positions.
Pioneering figures like Martha Graham emphasized unique artistic codes in dance.
Notable works include Stravinsky's Rite of Spring.

Originated in Africa with rich cultural traditions of dance associated with spirituality and celebration.
In America, African dances manifested through social assemblies and ceremonies, preserved identity through performing arts.
Evolved into performances in minstrel shows, transitioning to vaudeville and Broadway.

Late 1800s saw the emergence of popular dance styles (e.g., Charleston, Jitterbug).
Jazz music, rooted in African rhythms, flourished in New Orleans, becoming a vibrant cultural audio backdrop for dance.

Jack Cole: Influential figure who integrated diverse dance traditions; trained numerous Hollywood dancers.
Bob Fosse: Renowned for choreography blending elegance and sensuality, recognized for his distinct styles and iconic productions such as Cabaret and Chicago.

Encompasses ceremonial dances from tribal societies, preserving cultural heritage.
Examples include:
- Native American Dances: Ghost Dance, Navajo Hoop Dances.
- African Dances: Dogon mask dancers, Zulu dances.
- Indian Dances: Bharatanatyam, Khon.
- Polynesian Dances: Maori dances.

Origins rooted in native, Spanish, and African influences, creating regionally distinctive styles.
Examples: Salsa (Cuba/Dominican), Tango (Argentina), Samba (Brazil).

Choreographers today fuse various dance genres, crossing traditional boundaries between ballet, modern, jazz, and hip hop.