Ballet Dictionary: Développé devant en relevé
Photo by Mark Sumaylo • Text by Abigail Oliveiro
Step: Développé devant en relevé. The word “développé” means to develop.
How: The supporting (standing) leg does a relevé action which is to quickly rise up from a flat foot, going through demi-pointe (half pointe), to balancing on full pointe. At the same time, the working leg does a développé devant which is to develop through retiré, attitude devant (front) finishing with the leg fully extended in front in a swift motion. A retiré is where you are standing on a straight supporting leg and the thigh of the working leg is lifted (turned out) and the foot of the working leg is pointed and touching the knee of the supporting leg.
Tip: As the working leg is quickly developing through the various positions, try to keep the knee held back while leading with heel forward to keep the motion as turned out as possible. Ideally, the knee of the working leg is facing the side of the walls and the heel of the foot at the end of the extended position is higher than the toe to create a classical line.
Ballet: Grand Pas Classique, Female Variation
Dancer: Jessa Balote, Company Artist
Location: Harbour Square, Pasay City
