Education & Community Engagement

Education & Community Engagement

 

Ballet Glossary

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The positions of the feet

The positions of the body

Directions & Numbers

Sauté, sautée [soh-TAY] – This French term means “jump” or “jumped,” and is described as a jump off the ground by using one or two feet.

Serré, serrée [seh-RAY] – This French word means “tight” or “close.”  A movement that describes a fast beating of the foot against the ankle of the other leg. 

Sickling – This term describes the break in the line of a dancer’s leg, because of the mistake of pointing their foot inward.

Sissonne [see-SAWN] – Sissonne was named after the originator of this step.  A jump from two feet to one; this jump can be done petite or grande. 

Sous-sus [soo-SEW] – In French this means “under-over.” This term is used to describe a very tight 5th position on demi-pointes. 

Soutenu, soutenue [soot-NEW] – This French term means “sustained.”  When one leg is drawn to the other, the step is done as a tight turn, where both legs are together and are in sous-sus. 

Supporting leg – This term is used by teachers and dancers to describe the standing leg.  This leg supports the body as the working leg executes the exercise.