Copy of Dance Exam

Dancers and Costumes

  • Heavy costumes and heeled shoes worn by dancers.

  • Shortened skirts allowed for increased mobility.

Memorization Tools

  • RBCPRRMC: Periods

  • MPSD: First Main Ballet Men

  • EDGB: Main Ballet Men

  • MCMT: Main Ballet Women

  • DDPCDMLXIVLK: Main People Through History

  • MRWPTF--F: Changes Through History

  • HSSPTR---: Costumes

  • BASTE: Elements of Dance

  • PPWSFDFG: Laban Efforts

  • SDSDSDDS: Laban Efforts Fast or Slow

The Historical Periods

The Renaissance Period

  • Timeframe: Around 1500.

  • Notable characteristics: Performed by men only.

  • Established five basic foot positions.

The Baroque Period

  • Timeframe: 1600 - 1700s.

  • Performance style: Told a story.

  • Features: Performed on raised stages.

  • Men dancers until 1681; introduction of women with Marie Camargo as the first female dancer.

Female Ballet Development

  • Females began dancing on pointe.

  • Introduction of tutus, particularly rigid tutus.

The Classical Period

  • Timeframe: Late 1700s.

  • Characterized by expressive performances.

  • Marius Petipa acknowledged as the father of classical ballet and instrumental in moving ballet to Russia.

Pre-Romantic and Romantic Periods

  • Timeframe: Early 1800s.

  • Marie Taglioni was the first to dance on pointe.

The Russian Classics

  • Timeframe: Late 1800.

  • Known for full-length ballets.

The Modern Era

  • Timeframe: Early 1900.

  • Serge Diaghilev pivotal in spreading dance in Europe; founder of Ballet Russes.

Ballet in America

  • Mid-1900: Establishment of the American Ballet Theater and New York City Ballet in 1940.

  • George Balanchine considered the father of American ballet.

Contemporary Ballet

  • Timeframe: 1930 - Present.

  • Fusion of ballet with other dance styles including jazz and modern.

Edgar Degas

  • Notable French artist (1834 - 1917).

  • Famous works include "Ballet Rehearsal", "The Ballet Class", and "Little Dancer".

Ballet Terms

  • Port de bras: Carriage of the arms.

  • Plie: To bend.

  • Releve: To rise.

  • Tendu: To stretch.

  • Degage: Disengaged.

  • Rond de jambe: Round of the leg.

  • Changer: To change.

  • Échappe: Escaping movement.

  • Passe: To pass.

Miming in Ballet

  • Called pantomime; a way to convey stories through dance and gestures.

Structure of a Ballet Class

  • Phases: Barre, Centre, Adagio, Allegro, and Reverence.

Historical Contributions

  • Elaborate sets, costumes, pantomime, and large musically accompanied performances.

  • Domenico da Piacenza: First choreographer and wrote the first European guide to dance.

  • Catherine de Medici: Brought dance from Italy to France, organizing large-scale festivals.

  • First Ballet de Cour: Ballet Comique; featured first printed libretto.

Dance Techniques & Foundations

  • Louis XIV: Established classic foot and arm positions; founded the Academie Royale de Musique.

Renaissance Ballet

  • Detailed choreography focusing on body positioning and movements.

Romantic Ballet

  • Timeframe: 1800s.

  • Characterized by shorter, gauzy costumes; emphasized classical techniques.

Neoclassical and Contemporary Ballet

  • Blends classical techniques with modern abstract movements.

  • Marius Petipa: Key figure, influential in transitions of Russian ballet.

Parts of the Body in Dance

  • Isolation: Moving one or a few body parts.

  • Whole Body: Using the entire body in dance.

Movement Patterns and Body Shapes

  • Patterns: Upper/Lower Body dynamics.

  • Body Shapes: Options include symmetrical and asymmetrical forms.

Body Systems

  • Components include muscles, bones, organs, breath, balance, and reflex.

  • Inner Self: Encompasses senses, emotions, thoughts, intentions, and imagination.

Core and Distal Movements

  • Core Movements: Initiated from the center of mass.

  • Distal Movements: Initiated from parts farther from the center.

Action in Dance

  • Defines any human movement in dance.

  • Axial Movements: On the spot actions like turns or jumps.

Laban Efforts

  • Different actions categorized under Laban efforts: Press, Punch, Wring, Slash, Float, Dab, Flick, Glide.

Space in Dance

  • Place: On the spot or traveling.

  • Size: Big or small movements.

  • Level: Low or high movements.

  • Direction: Movements upwards, downwards, side to side.

  • Shape: Variations include straight, angular, and symmetrical.

Time in Dance

  • Duration: Brief or long movements.

  • Speed: Fast or slow.

  • Accent: On beat or syncopated emphasis, predictable or unpredictable.

Energy in Movement

  • Attack: Sharp or smooth initiation.

  • Tension: Amount of muscular tightness.

  • Flow: Bound (controlled) or free movements.

Nutrition in Dance

  • Nutrition: Study of food nutrients and their effects on the body.

  • Nutritionists: Experts studying nutrient effects.

  • Macronutrients and Micronutrients: Large and small nutrient needs respectively.

  • Hydration: Essential for bodily functions, constitutes 60% of body weight.

Healthy Eating Basics

  • Importance of understanding macro and micronutrients.

  • Self-Care: Consistency in taking care of one's health.

Meal Preparation and Personal Nutrition

  • Planning healthy meals in advance.

  • Cross Training: Weight training with manageable time commitments.

Misunderstandings about Nutrition

  • Clarifying myths: belief in restricted foods, long weight training, and limited healthy options.

Study Questions Overview

  • Key periods in ballet history: Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and contemporary.

  • Influential figures: Marie Camargo, Marius Petipa, Marie Taglioni, Serge Diaghilev, George Balanchine, and Edgar Degas.

  • Understanding structure and significance of ballet training and performance.