So You Are Going to the Ballet, Now What?

So You Are Going to the Ballet, Now What?

Ballet - It's not just men in white tights!

Fort Wayne Ballet wants you to know that attending a ballet should not be an intimidating experience. This is why we have put together information to help you make the exhilarating leap (jeté) into the ballet world.

Why should I go to the ballet when I could watch a movie in the comfort of my home?
Ballet is actually a great party - a visual, aural, emotional spectacle that electrifies all of the senses. In our multi-sensory society we look for and even expect entertainment that dazzles us from all around. Ballet, with its spectacular sets and costumes, fabulous movement and stories that tear at our heartstrings, does exactly that, and there is something in it for everyone. It's romantic; it's fun; it's unlike anything you have ever seen.

Who typically goes to the ballet, just families?
Ballet has something to offer the young and the young at heart. It is a great experience to share with the people you care about.

• a fabulous girls night out
• a relaxing night out for mom (and dad)
• an impressive first date
• a lovely afternoon with grandma
• a wonderful family event

How will I know the story if they don't talk?
If you want to know what is going on before the curtain rises, there are a few options available to you.  All of our programs have a synopsis of the story in them. For those of you that love to "surf the net", there is a plethora of information available at various web sites, just type in the name of the ballet and enjoy. Knowing more about the story accentuates your enjoyment of the movement because you aren't struggling to understand the plot when you are watching.

What should I wear to the ballet? Do I have to wear a tiara?
Contrary to popular belief, there is no dress code for the ballet. You may see audience members dressed for a formal affair, a cocktail party or a family night out. It really is not as limited as you might think. People come in anything from jeans to evening wear, so feel free to dress comfortably.

I couldn't find a place to park - can I still go to my seat?
As a courtesy to the dancers and the already-seated patrons, we cannot allow anyone to go to their seats until there is an appropriate seating break in the performance. For some productions, this may be 25-30 minutes. If there is not an appropriate break, latecomers will be seated in the back of the auditorium and may move to their proper seats at intermission. Ushers will assist in seating.

I was really impressed with that dancer, but am I allowed to applaud?
A common question for newcomers to the ballet is when to applaud. The short answer is: when in doubt, clap when everyone else does. Dancers enjoy knowing the audience appreciates their talent. Feel free to clap at the end of an intricate dance move or at the end of a piece of music.

In some ballets, dancers will bow at the end of their particular piece; this is a lovely time to acknowledge your appreciation of their skills. At the conclusion of the ballet, dancers will present a finale during which time many of the dancers from the last act will return to the stage for a bow. Applauding is a wonderful way to reward them for their hard work and dedication to their craft. The entire group of dancers will step forward at the conclusion of the finale (curtain call); this would be the time for a standing ovation if you feel the performance warrants such a declaration of admiration.

If you want to show the dancer that you really like his (or her) performance, instead of leading the wave or whistling like a crazed fan, there are certain things you can yell...

Bravo: If you really like the talents of a male dancer, you can yell Bravo (BRAH-voh).
Brava: If you really like the talents of a female dancer, you can yell Brava (BRAH-vahh).
Bravi: If there is more than one dancer then you need to yell Bravi (BRAH-vee).

If this is too much for you to remember, then just stand up and keep on clapping - this will show the dancers that you enjoyed their performance.

Am I going to need to give up my morning stop at Starbucks for a month to afford the ticket?
Not at all! Ticket prices cover quite a range. While at first glance, the ballet does seem like a hefty price for an evening; if you break it down, ballet is the ultimate bargain. It combines almost all of the performing arts including classical music (sometimes performed by Fort Wayne Philharmonic), creative costumes, makeup, scenery, and of course, dance all in one performance. In addition, once you are hooked on this dynamic art, season ticket purchases save money AND get the first pick of seats!

Why do men wear white tights?
As movement became more refined in the development of the art, Danseurs needed more range of motion as well as showing fitness, quality and musculature. Tights also allow for the visual of the line and shape of the choreography to be more strongly conveyed to audiences. Tights have been around since the 1800's. (By the way, white tights are reserved for the princely roles. Color does mean everything at the ballet.)

So what is going on backstage?
Few people realize what it really takes to stage a ballet. Did you ever wonder...

• who built the set?
• did they buy those costumes?
• how long does it take the dancer to learn the choreography?

There is a virtual network of people that work together to produce what is seen on stage. For some pieces, dancers begin learning the choreography four or five months before the ballet opens. For every one minute of choreography you see on stage, it took three hours to choreograph and many many more hours to rehearse. Construction on stage pieces may take anywhere from one day to many months (design for the Cinderella carriage began in April 2005 and the carriage will appear on stage for the first time in March 2007). The costumes you see on stage for our ballets are designed and constructed by Fort Wayne Ballet's costumer. She works diligently year round to research, design and construct costumes that not only properly reflect the time period of the ballet but also flow elegantly through the movements required by the dancer. Most of this work is performed at our studio.

What is a pirouette anyway?
We are aware that ballet has many terms that may be foreign to newcomers, below are a few key vocabulary words to help you understand the world of ballet.

Ballerina: A female lead dancer
Pirouette: A full turn of the body on the tip of the toe or on the ball of the foot.
Premier Danseur: A male lead dancer

Whichever production you choose to explore, we hope you realize ballet has something for everyone. It has a deep and rich history while remaining current in theme and form. We can't wait for you to join Fort Wayne Ballet as the curtain rises.