The Ballet Manila Archives is the repository of documents, print, photographic, audio and video materials and memorabilia relating to the history of Ballet Manila and the life and career of its founder, prima ballerina Lisa Macuja-Elizalde. This site is powered by Ms. Elizalde and Project Art, Inc.
All in Ballet Dictionary
Pointe shoes are a type of shoes that allow the dancer to stand on the tips of their toes while being safely supported in both classical and contemporary ballets.
To be en pointe is where a dancer has her entire weight on full pointe, over the box of her pointe shoes.
A Classical Tutu is a costume worn by female ballet dancers typically in, although not restricted to, Classical Ballets.
Before and after class and rehearsals, you will often find dancers warming up or cooling down.
A grand plié is a plié with the full bend of the knees until the thighs are horizontal with the floor.
This term is used to describe the direction of the body using the legs as reference.
The fingertips are approximately a hand width apart and should never touch.
To achieve a classical line in a Tendu Devant, always lead with the heel forward for a rotated leg.
A “brisé” means “broken” and “en avant” indicates the direction of the brisé which is to go forward.
This is most commonly seen as an end to a step like a pirouette.
An Arabesque describes the position where the dancer has one leg stretched directly behind them.
Pas de Chat is a classical ballet term meaning “Step of a Cat” as the step resembles a cat-like jump.
A Temps Levé is a type of jump from one foot, landing on the same foot while the other leg is raised in a position in the air.
The word Développé means “to develop”, Écarté means “separated” and Devant means “in front”
