Ballet Dictionary: Échappé in 4th Position, Effacé
Photo by Mark Sumaylo • Text by Abigail Oliveiro
Step: Échappé in 4th Position, Effacé
How: Échappé is a classical ballet term meaning “to escape”. Typically done from 5th position with the feet, the dancer plies in 5th position and slides both feet to 4th position on pointe (as shown) as if escaping from the 5th position. The 4th position with the feet is where both feet are turned out with one foot a little further in front of the other. This 4th position is done in Effacé, which is to describe that the legs don’t appear crossed from the front and the position is open.
Tip: Lift up from the pointe shoes by keeping the rotation from the glutes active to help hold the position better and look lighter as opposed to sinking or pushing over the pointe shoes.
Ballet: La Esmeralda Female Variation
Dancer: Resti Oktaviani, Company Artist
Location: Bonifacio High Street
