Ballet Dictionary: Écarté Derrière
Photo by Mark Sumaylo • Text by Abigail Oliveiro
Step: Écarté Derrière. The word “ecarté” means “separated” and “derrière” means “to the back.”
How: To execute an écarté, one of the dancer’s legs must be in an a la seconde position en l’air (in the air) or à terre (on the floor). In this case, the dancer has her working leg in a la seconde en l’air. “Écarté Derrière” describes the direction that the position is taking. Here, the angle of the body is separated “Écarté” on a diagonal. “Derrière” describes that the working leg is on the back side of the diagonal, as is the working arm and that the head is looking towards the front side of the diagonal; away from the leg.
Tip: As with all Écartés, there is a slight tilt of the body away from the working leg. Try to keep the working leg connected to the side of the body to keep the leg as close to the body as possible while tilting away from the working leg to maintain the classical line and help with balance.
Ballet: Swan Lake Act 3, Odile’s Variation
Dancer: Akari Ida, Ballet Manila company artist
Location: Ballet Manila Studio 1
