Front Back
Proscenium Stage
the area of the theater surrounding the stage opening acts like a picture frame
Upstage
furthest from the audience
Downstage
closest to the audience
Stage Right
dancers right
Stage Left
dancers left
Cyclorama
neutral colored curtain usually upstage where light is projected to create moods
Backdrop
suspended canvas or panel that provides background
Apron
stage floor that projects forward towards the audience brings the audience and the performer closer
Upper Pal eolithic- Neolithic Periods
Dance was a type of communication and way of life Dance Rituals were means of expression for specific events ex: rain dances, wedding dances, etc. People used their bodies to express thoughts and feelings
The Ancient Period
Decisions were made about dance Vocal language shaped these decisions Aesthetics of dance was sought Indian Temple Dance- "magic circle" Chinese Dragon Dance and Lion Dance- drum beat
Medieval period
Islamic belly dancing was established Development of Christianity  Creation of art was frowned upon unless it glorifies the church  The female body was to be considered evil if it was seen dancing The plague came about especially in the Salem Witch Trials
Dance Frenzy Outbreak
physical disorder caused by the plague Overwhelming control of the church
Renaissance Period
Art became less and less a group activity and more and more the creative product of individual artists Saw the rise of ballet as a professional art
Principal dancer
A dancer at the highest rank within a professional dance company. They are usually the featured dances and the story is centered to him or her.
Soloist
A dancer that is featured in a ballet company but the story is not centered on him or her
Demi Soloists
A dancer above the corps de ballet, that may have short-featured roles
Corps de Ballet
A group of dancers in a ballet company that work as the backdrop for the principal dancers. They perform synchronized movements and positions on stage
Center Stage
the area in the middle of the stage
Folk Dance
reflects the traditional life of the people of a certain country or region
Turn Out
Rotating the legs out of the hip joint in order to move more efficiently
Louis XIV
superhuman "Sun King"
The most prominent Romantic ballets
La Sylphide and Giselle
Romantic Aesthetics
present in music, literature, and paintings
Classical Ballet
performed on a proscenium stage spectacular scenery elaborate costumes storyline is fairytale or fable large orchestral piece of music usage of pantomime- hand movement dance matches the music
Most popular classical ballets
Swam Lake and Sleeping Beauty
Most prominent Russian born classical ballet composers
Pyotr (Peter) Tchaikovsky and Igor Stravinsky
Vaganova Method (Russian)
Marinsky Ballet
Ceccheti Method (Italian)
strict training regimen that develops the students balance, poise, and grace
Royal Academy of Dance (England)
grew its roots in the Royal Ballet School in London
Bournonville Method (Danish)
focused mainly on the romanticism of ballet
The French School (French)
first ballet school in France
Balanchine (American)
developed NYCB known for speed and incorporation of jazz and modern movement
Artistic Director
responsible for the aesthetic look of the company
Ballet Master or Mistress/Rehearsal Director
employee that teaches company class, rehearses new and existing work on the dancers
Serge Diaghilev
a producer who established Ballet Russes
Michel Fokine
first resident choreographer of the Ballet Russes
Fokine's Principals of Contemporary Ballet
classical steps should fit with theme movement should give insight to storyline no pantomime corps de ballet is more than scenery heighten the status of the male dancer
Vaslav Nijinski
created provocative ballets that dealt with taboo topics most popular work: L'Apres midi d'un Faun
Ballet Russes History
introduced American public to ballet the company split into two: one toured Europe, one toured the US American dancers began getting trained by Russian choreeogrpahers
George Balanchine
danced with Diaghilve's Ballet Russes his style is Neoclassic first ballet in the US was Serenade formed NCYB
Lincoln Kristein
convinced Balanchine to starting an American Ballet School in the US
Agon
controversial ballet because it had a white and black dancer together
Arthur Mitchell
artistic director and co-founder of The Dance Theater of Harlem
Contemporary Ballet from 1960 to present
blurry line between ballet and modern exploitation of ballet technique use of pedestrian movements and improvisation
Mats Ek
dancer/choreographer and former artistic director of Cullberg Ballet reworked Giselle and Sleeping Beauty
Matthew Borne
best known for his restaging of Swan Lake with a prominently male cast
Technique
refers to a specific style of movement that a certain person develops ex: turn out
Court Dance
series of movements performed in a court to distinguish class distinctions and hierarchy Aristocratic steps and nobility

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