Ballet Theory
Grade 1
Plie A bending of both knees
Demi Half
Degage To release the foot from a closed to an open position
Tendu Stretched
Devant In Front
Derriere Behind
Battement Beating movements of the leg
Grand Large
A la seconde To the second position
Petit Small
Retire To draw up
Bras Bas Arms Down
En avant Travelling forwards
En arriere Travelling backwards
Simple Simple
Couple Cutting Movement (To cut the weight of the body from one foot to the other)
Temps leve To Hop
Leve Lifted
Passe To pass
Sur-le-cou-de-pied On the ankle
Jete Throwing Movement (To throw the weight of the body from one foot to the other)
Saute To spring
Soubresaut A spring from 3rd or 5th position without changing the feet
Changement To change
Pose To step (onto a straight leg)
Fondu A bending of one knee
Enchainments The amalgamation of steps
Curtsey or Bow/Revereance To say "Thank You"
Supporting leg Leg that takes the weight of the body
Working Leg The dancer's leg that is actually performing the movement.
Grade 2 (in addition to G1 theory)
En croix In the shape of a cross
Ronds de Jambe Circle of the leg
A terre On the ground
En dehors Outwards
En dedans Inwards
Releve To snatch onto the demi-pointe (or en pointe) - the toe takes the place of the heel
Croise Crossed
Ouverte Open
En Face Facing the front
Attitude A position on one leg: the other in 4th opposite 5th a terre or en L'air. Raised leg is bent.
Ordinaire Ordinary
Chasse A sliding movement
Glissade A gliding movement, always end in a demi-plie
Pas de Chat Step of the cat
Pas Step
Pas de Deux Step for two people
Pied Foot
Sur place On the spot
Demi-pointe Half point
Demi detourne A Half turn towards the back foot.
En premiere In first
Courru Running
Trois Three
Cinq Five
Grade 3 (in addition to G1&2 theory)
Glisse To glide
Assemble A joining together of the legs
Soutenus Sustained
Assemble Soutenu A sustained joining together of the legs
Fondu A bending of one knee
Developpe To unfold the leg.
Ports-de-bras Carriage of the arms
Adage Slow movement
Arabesque A position on one leg: the other held in 4th opposite 1st a terre or en l'air. (leg straight when in air)
De Cote To the side
Pose A step onto a straight leg.
Grade 4 (in addition to G1-3 theory)
En L'air In the air
Echappe To escape
Chasse Passe A sliding movement with the back foot passing to the front (passe en avant) or the front foot passing to the back (passe en arriere). End in a demi-plie in 4th.
Pirouette To spin on one foot.
Pas de Bourree A compound step consisting of three running steps (the first two on demi-pointe, the third on the flat).
Pas de Basque A movement derived from the swaying of skirts
Balance A lilting movement. A change of weight from foot to foot, from side-to-side or forwards and backwards.
Sissonne A scissor-like movement.
Sissonne (ordinaire) A spring from two feet to one foot with a softened landing.
Sissonne Ouverte A sissonne ending with the working leg in an open position.
Grade 5 (in addition to G1-4 theory)
En ronds Circular movement
En tournant Turning
En Diagonale Diagonally
Ballonne A bouncing step
Ballonne simple A simple ballonne with the accent on the inwards movements.
Ballonne compose A compound ballonne
Fouette A whipped movement
Compose Compound
Sissonne ferme A sissonne ending with the working leg in a closed position (Scissor movement)
Petit batterie Small elevated beaten steps
Battu Beaten
Changement Battu A beaten changement
Ferme To close
Echappe Battu Ferme/Royale ferme Echappe ferme beaten
Demi-contretemps Temps leve, chasse passe en avant
Greque A position relating to attitude
Epaulement Turning of the shoulders
Grade 6 (in addition to G1-5 theory)
Sur le cou-de-pied On the ankle
Cou de pied Neck of the foot
Frappe To strike
A deux bras With two arms
Dessous Under
Dessus Over
Contretemps A compound step consisting of:- coupe under, chasse en avant, temps leve, chasse passe en avant.
Sissonne double A sissonne ouverte followed by any coupe and any assemble
Entrechat Quatre Spring into the air and make two changments before alighting. (Entwining)
Petits battements sur le cou-de-pied Small beats on the ankle
Echappe Battu Ouvert/Royale Ouverte Echappe ouverte beaten.