First Position-Stand with heels together, legs and feet turned out, pointing away from the body. Turn out from the hips as much as possible, but do not let knees or ankles twist.

Second Position-From first position, slide feet away from each other, so that they are still turned out, but there is a foot length between the heels.

Third Position-Place the heel of one foot against the middle of the other foot, keeping both turned out.

Fourth Position-Place one foot exactly in front of the other with space about the length of one foot between them.

Fifth Position-Place one foot against the front of the other foot with both turned out. Feet should be toe-to- heel and heel-to-toe.

The elements of dance (space, time and force) are present in the Nutcracker dance performance. These elements are used in dance choreography to express an idea, thought or emotion.

SPACE: Refers to the area that the dancer occupies and moves through. Some components of space are:

• Direction- forward, backward, right, left, up, down and Pathway-straight, curved
• Levels-high, middle, low
• Shape-individual shape or group shape

TIME: Involves the length and speed of the movement. Some components of time are: Accent- an emphasis on a pulse that occurs regularly

Rhythmic Pattern-use accents that occur irregularly Duration-length of the movement (short, medium, long)

ENERGY/FORCE: Also known as energy, it reinforces, heightens, expands and highlights parts of a movement theme or section of a work. Some components of force are:

Heavy/Light Sharp/Smooth Tension/Relaxation Bound/Flowing

Locomotor movement-movement that travels from one place to another such as walk, run, leap, hop, jump, slide, gallop, skip

Nonlocomotor movement-movement that is performed in one place. Examples: twist, stretch, pull, bend, sway, push, swing