Ballet originated during the 15th-century Italian Renaissance, where it was an art form taught to noble men and women. Traditionally, ballet was performed at weddings and other extravagant events. In a historical context, a nobleman's proficiency in the arts greatly influenced his social standing. Unlike contemporary views, mediocrity in disciplines like ballet could lead to social ostracism and a loss of credibility. Ballet was later brought to France by Catherine de Medici when she married King Henry II. She played a significant role in encouraging the French court to invest in ballet de cour, or "court ballet, which combined dance, music, poetry, costumes, and decor" (Pittsburgh Ballet Theater). Many of these elements can still be seen in ballet today.

In the 17th century, King Louis XIV of France played a significant role in popularizing ballet. He took his dance lessons very seriously, driven by his passion for the arts and the need to maintain his political influence. For 18 years, he participated in court performances and is best known for his portrayal of Apollo, which earned him the nickname "The Sun King." Upon ascending to the throne, he demonstrated his commitment to the arts by establishing the Académie Royale de Danse, a dance school that employed thirteen of the most skilled ballet instructors (California Ballet Company).

In the 1670s, the Académie Royale de Musique was established when King Louis XIV appointed his trusted teacher, Jean-Baptiste Lully, as the director of the Académie d’Opéra. Upon taking this position, Lully opened a ballet studio inside the opera house and renamed it the Académie Royale de Musique, which is known today as the Paris Opera (California Ballet Company).

 During his tenure as director, Lully transformed ballet from a court performance into a professional art form executed by trained dancers. He also moved performances from ballroom floors to stages, enhancing the spectacle of increasingly complex productions. The changes introduced by Lully continue to influence ballet to this day (California Ballet Company).

Men solely performed ballet court spectacles, opera, and many other performances until the 1680s. This was when women were finally allowed to appear in public productions, which leaned more theatrical than ceremonial. Mademoiselle de Lafontaine made history as the first female ballerina, debuting in Le Triomphe de l’Amour  (California Ballet Company).  Paving the way for generations of women in ballet.