A ballet is an artistic dance that is performed using a precise movement language that has been passed down to each generation through cultural tradition.

In ballet, dancers tell stories through movement using their bodies and facial expressions instead of speaking or singing.

There are different kinds of ballets including:

• storybook ballets

• plotless ballets

• contemporary ballets

Storybook ballets the the story of popular fables or fairytales. Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty, and The Nutcracker are all examples of storybook ballets.

Plotless ballets are ballets that do not have a written or specific story to tell. They might communicate specific feelings, ideas, or moods, but mainly mix beautiful movement to beautiful music.

Contemporary ballets are ballets that mix different dance styles like modern dance, hip-hop, jazz, flamenco, and more.

Listen and watch to learn about what it's like to be ballet dancer! Think about the questions below after you finish the video.

1. What questions would you ask a ballet dancer?

2. Did you learn anything you didn't know before?

Listen and watch to learn about the history of ballet! Think about the questions below after you finish the video.

1. What country did ballet originate in?

2. Was ballet always a form of entertainment?

3. How did ballet evolve from a set of rules for interacting in the court to a form of performance entertainment?

4. Who was the Sun King?

5. Which ballet company is the oldest ballet company in the world?

6. Why do you think ballet has survived this long?

Click on this link to explore an interactive timeline of ballet history produced by The Royal Ballet School of London.

Listen and watch to learn about the largest ballet company in the United States! Think about the questions below after you finish the video.

1. Who founded the New York City Ballet?

2. What skills do you need to become a New York City Ballet dancer?

3. Who else helps put performances together with the dancers?

4. What do you think it's like to work in a ballet company?

5. What questions do you have after watching the video?

Listen and watch to learn about what it takes to be a ballet dancer! Think about the questions below after you finish the video.

1. Do you think it is easy or difficult to be a ballet dancer?

2. Why do you think dancers choose to be dancers?

3. Is there anything in your life that is difficult for you but you love to do it?

4. Do you think that practice and hard work are important for ballet dancers?

5. Would you want to be a ballet dancer?