Glossary
A slow section of a pas de deux consisting of slow, controlled movements that highlight balance, extension and poise.
A dance with a fast or moderately fast tempo. A part of a ballet comprised of fast turning or jumping, particularly beaten steps. It is often follows the adagio.
A dance position in which a dancer stands on one leg, whether straight or bent, with the other leg extended to the back at 90 degrees.
A dancer balances his or her weight on the upper back and spins by thrusting with the hands or swinging the legs across the body.
Social dances usually performed by couples. Such dances include the waltz, fox-trot, tango, rumba, foxtrot, cha cha, mambo, and samba.
In ballet, a leap in which a dancer's lower leg beats at an angle against the upper one before the dancer lands on the lower leg.
The Can Can may have been an off-shoot of either the Polka or Quadrille, or even of both. It originated as a social dance but evolved into a raucous dance performed principally in French music halls. The women dancers wore black silk stockings and kicked their legs high into the air.
This is basically a triple mambo that emerged from the less inhibited night clubs. The dance then evolved into a genre of its own.
A word used to describe the action of a dancer performing different phrases simultaneously.
A theatrical type of movement in which a dancer's body weight is completely or partially supported by a leader, while at least one part of the dancer's body remains in contact with the floor.
A dance position where one leg is extended at an oblique angle while the dancer's body is also held at an oblique angle.
The propulsion of a dancer's body into the air and away from the dance floor - eg a leap, jump or hop.
Literally, a star dancer. The word comes from the Paris Opera where it means a dancer of the highest rank.
The various aspects that contribute to performance artistry, and that engage the audience - such as musicality and focus.
An Irish festival or competition that a mixture of dancing, instrumental, vocal elements and Gaelic language competitions. The plural term is feisianna. An event with just dancing is known as a feile.
Stopping a dance movement and holding a fixed position. It may involve balancing on the head, or a shoulder, or on the hands.
This term, used strictly, refers to the theatre itself. However, it is commonly used in a looser sense to refer to the audience or to the number of seats sold.
Movement that is created by a dancer spontaneously. It may ibe highly structured or free-form, but it always has an element of chance and personal expression. Improvisation is generally demanding because it requires a dancer to think quickly while concentrating and focusing to produce instant and simultaneous choreography and performance.
The raising of a dancer's knee straight up, followed by a straightening of the leg with toe extended. There should be no weight change.
A form of dance as developed as an expresses complex emotions and abstract ideas.
Another form of dance
A movement phrase encapsulating an idea that is then repeated and developed throughout a dance.
A dancer's foot furthest from their partner when facing away, or when not directly facing their partner.
The tip of a dancer's toe. Women, and occasionally men, dance sur les pointes (on points) in specially-made blocked shoes. Dancer's also perform "full point", "three-quarter point" or "half point". These terms describe the actions of a dancer standing with toes spread flat on the floor and the rest of the foot raised from the metatarsal joint.
A step taken on a single beat, or fraction of a beat, followed by a further step without a pause. The term is also used to describe a figure performed more rapidly, and perhaps with one step more than is standard.
Rotation on the ball of a dancer's supporting foot. The non-supporting leg is normally held under the body. The extent of a turn may vary considerably. Pivots and spins carry more momentum, potentially increasing the extent of rotation achieved, when the dancer's upper body is extended,
A member of a company who has a minor role, or someone who is able to cover for one or more larger roles when required.
