How to Enjoy the Ballet

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By Triskit
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Kirov Ballet

Ballet...I just don't get it! Learn how to understand and appreciate the ballet with a few quick insiders tips.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Step 1

Get a little history. Ballet is moving art, there's no words to explain the story or concept during the performance as in a play, which can make it pretty difficult to follow what's going on come show time. If you know the performance you are going to see, read up on it a bit. You can search online and check out reviews by professionals or just get a little history on what the story line is and where it came from. If you are not seeing a "classic" or there is no actual story to follow, it is extremely helpful to get some background info on the concept of the piece.

This will help give you a perspective from which to view the performance.
Step 2

Many companies offer a pre-performance discussion, in which they will give you a history and outline of the dances to be performed, as well as information on the choreographers and dancers doing the work. You'll often get little tid bits that can completely change the way you view a dance. Information such as politics at the time the piece was created, or juicy info on the choreographers personal life at the time of creation and how that may have influenced the choreography.
Step 3

Ask questions. Before the show and during intermission of course! Never ask questions during the performance. But pre-performance, ask and discuss with the lecturer giving the pre-performance run down. Talk to your friend or date, talk with the people sitting around you. Keep your mind open and inquisitive.
Step 4

All the information you gain prior to viewing a performance will enhance your understanding and appreciation for a work. This does not necessarily mean you will love everything you see. I'm a professional dancer and I've been bored out of my mind at more than one dance performance. There is good art and poor art. There is good dance and poor dance. I've seen it all. But I can assure you that understanding what you are seeing is the first step in appreciating it. Once you understand it, you just might enjoy it more then you every thought possible.

Comments

texasparky said

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on 3/7/2009 Well-done...And true, some of us just don't get it. I've been to my daughter's performance of The Nutcracker for umpteen years and I just now realized the rats are not real.