Entrechat Steps

During this week, almost ending the semester our Ballet professor assigned us a Blog about the different steps of Entrechat. In order to find all of the different types of Entrechat and investigate with such accuracy he told us to use our Ballet book "Technical Manual and Dictionary of Classical Ballet" by Gail Grant and read pages 47 through 49.

Entrechat is a jump that braids in the air. Is a step in which the dancer jumps in the air and crosses the legs before and behind each other. Entrechats are counted from two to ten depending on the number of crossings required. The counting is done as two movements, one by each leg; that is called an entrechat quatre by each leg making two distinct movements. Entrechats are divided in two general classes which are the even-numbered entrechats, or those which land on two feet (deux, quatre, six, huit and dix). The odd numbered of entrechats lands on one foot (trois, cinq, sept, neuf). In all of the entrechats both legs beat equally. The even-numbered entrechats are done en face or en tournant, while odd-numbered entrechats are done, derriere, en tournant, de cote or de volee.

Entrechat cinq is similar to Entrechat quatre, except it has five crossings because cinq means five and the landing is made on one foot, while the other is placed sur le cou-de-pied either devant or derriere. Entrechat cinq devant is done on fifth position with the right foot in front. Demi-plie and a small jump is executed opening the legs slightly and beating the claves together with the right leg in the back, then opening the legs and landing on the left foot with the right foot sur le cou-de-pied devant. Entrechat cinq derriere is also done in fifth position but the right foot back. Demi-plie and with a small jump opening the legs slightly, beating the claves together with the right leg in the front, opening the legs and landing on the left foot with the right foot sur le cou-de-pied derriere. Entrechat cinq vole is done in fifth positiong with the right foot back. Glissade derriere, thrust the right leg out to the second position en l’air, pushing from the ground with the left foot. The left leg meets the right leg and it beats it in the back, then the legs open, the right leg beats in back of left, legs open, and the landing is made in demi-plie in the fifth position with the right foot front. Entrechat cinq ferme is a term of the French school. It is a mixture of an entrechat quatre commenced from the second position and finished in the fifth position. Entrechat cinq ouvert is also a term of the French school. It is a mixture of an entrechat quatre completed in the air, with the landing then made in the second position. Entrechat cinq ramasse is a step also known as “sissonne fermee battue”, as it is really a sissonne fermee with the beat of an entrechat quatre. It is done in a series, en avant, en arriere or de cote.Entrechat deux is an entrechat deux that has changing of feet and it has two crossings to execute changement battu. Entrechat de volee is a flying entrechat. Entrechat de vole is done in flight in any directing and is preceded by a demi-contretemps or a glissade. The landing is made in the fifth position. Entrechat dix has ten crossings since “dix” is the number ten in French. Entrechat huit has eight crossings, same as the entrechat six, except that another crossing is added since “huit” is eight in French. If the right foot starts in the fifth position front, it will finish in the fifth position front. Entrechat neuf has nine crossings. It is the same as an entrechat huit, except that the landing is made on on foot with the other sur le cou-de-pied either devant or derriere. Entrechat quatre has four crossings, done in fifth position and the right foot in front. Demi-plie and with a small jump lightly open the legs and beat the calves together with the right leg in back. Slightly open the legs and finish in demi-plie in the fifth position with the right foot front. Entrechat royale is a jump where the changement is done in which he calves are beaten together before the feet change position. Demi-plie is done with a preparation from a small jump into the air, opening both legs slightly. Quickly closing the legs and beating the calves of the legs together, opening slightly to the side, and coming to the ground in demi-plie in the fifth position with the right foot back. Entrechat sept has seven crossings and it is similar to entrechat six, except that the landing is made on one foot with the other foot sur le cou-de-pied either devant or derriere. Entrechat sept devant is done on fifth position with the right foot back. Demi-plie and with a strong jump open the legs; right leg beat in front of left leg; open legs; right leg beats in back of left leg; open legs and finish in demi-plie on the left foot with the right foot sur le cou-de-pied devant.Entrechat sept derriere is done on fifth position wit right foot front. Demi-plie and with a strong jump open the legs; right leg beat in back of left leg; open legs; right leg beats in front of left leg; open legs and finish in demi-plie on the left foot with the right foot sur le cou-de-pied derriere.Entrechat six has six crossings. Demi-plie in the fifth position with the right foot front and with a strong jump open the legs, beat the right leg behind the left, open legs, beat the right leg in front of the left, open the legs and finish in demi-plie in the fifth position, right foot back. Entrechat six de cote is a term of the Cecchetti method done same as the entrechat cinq de vole. Entrechat six de vole is a term of the Russian School done same as the entrechat cinq de volee. Entrechat trois has three crossings and it is finished on one foot with the other sur le cou-de-pied either devant or derriere. Entrechat trois derriere is done in fifth position with the right foot front. Demi-plie with a small jump opens the legs into a narrow second position in the air. Beat the right leg in front of the left, slightly open the legs and land on the left in demi-plie with the tight foot sur le cou-de-pied derriere. Entrechat trois devant is done in fifth position with the right foot back. Demi-plie with a small jump opens the legs into a narrow second position in the air. Beat the right leg behind of the left, slightly open the legs and land on the left in demi-plie with the tight foot sur le cou-de-pied devant.

Entrée means entrance in French. The term is given to the arrival of the dancer or group of dancers who perform a number in a divertissement. The term also applies to the beginning of a grand pas de deux in which the danseuse and danceur make their entrance. Entrelace or entrelacee means interlaced; for example, jete entrelace.   

Last but not least, there was so much vocabulary to internalized but it gave me the knowledge and the interest to learn more and more everytime.

Jardin de Lilis

On October 25th in Ballet class we were asked to watch a Ballet. The Ballet was called Le Jardin de Lilis, very interesting to watch. The story behind it was a little bit hard to understand unless there was focus on face expressions, body language, arm movements, etc. I tried to watch for the story line but I found myself looking more at the technique of the steps, how the dancers went through the lines with their feet and whole body.

 The idea of this Ballet was basically about dead, but it did not have to be the death of someone but the death of love. Moreover, the  frustration of one not being able to be with the person you really feel amazing with. The Lillie's were there, from my opinion, to represent that sense of lost, since Lillie's are part of the adornment in a funeral. 

The scenography was in general dark, sad and mysterious. The costumes had solid colors, very flown dresses with green being the predominant color in this case. The image on the background was a full moon and trees simulating the sadness and confusion the performance. 

We were asked to find differences from the same Ballet being done five years after from the first one. The very first difference that I saw when I watched the second time was the scenography, which was completely changed. I liked how it looked more realistic so it seemed that they were performing outside. The dancers were shorter than the first video. I liked the connection between the whole cast. I really enjoyed their acting because it was more believable. The male dancer had better lines the the male dancer on the first video even though the male dancers on the first video was taller. The costumes were similar but it had differences in color; example, on of the Lillie's on the second time had a light blue dress. I saw more affection towards the principal couple on the second performance. Although, the female dancer's arms on the first video were better alined than the the female dancer on the second video.

It was really amusing to watch both performances because I got to compare and be attentive at all times about every detail. However, it was my first time seeing the first performance, when I watched the second performance it was has I was looking to a new performance for the first time and by that I mean I always find differences, similarities, things to be worked on, and things to take in consideration. 

Ballet Fleming

     A week ago I took Ballet class for three days with a Company from Philadelphia call "Ballet Fleming" The first day I was really excited to start, and even more excited to see the professional dancers work in class so that I could learn from their style. Mr. Fleming who is the teacher, choreographer and company director had a teaching style similar to the style from when I used to dance years ago in Cuba. His combinations are spoken but not done by him and I really liked that about him because your mind gets used to the names and it wakes up faster to retain lots of information. I can tell you I was swearing by the end of the tandous combination, that’s how alive the combinations were. I also had this intensification of my body by knowing he was also watching me. When we went to the center combinations, on the other hand, it was a little messy; I think I would have done it a little different, more organized so that we could do clean steps without worrying about anyone around us but ourselves.

     One thing that cut my eye was that in class they seem to be amazingly great dancers, almost perfect, and even though they had different technique backgrounds they all looked well together, but when I saw the performance they did not look as well as in class. They are well class takers but not performers. The pieces to me were not clear, something was missing and it was the lack of organization. I caught myself thinking about their technique; for example, looking at the line of the feet, the strength of the steps, instead of understanding the piece and the story behind it. The only piece that really got my attention was "Dali" because it was a very interesting piece and I did understand the concept behind it; although, I wish it have been longer. Overall I had a great week because even though the show could have been a lot better I do appreciate for them to show what they are about and what they can bring to the table. This company is only starting and I believe they will have much success in the near future.