Ballet -

: Dancers use codified hand gestures to communicate specific words or feelings to the audience: Love : Hands crossed over the heart. Marriage : Pointing to the ring finger. Death : Fists clenched and crossed low. An Oath : Two fingers raised toward the sky.

Most classical ballets are based on fairy tales, folklore, or literary works. They often explore: BALLET

: A position where one leg is extended behind the body. Common Themes in Ballet Stories : Dancers use codified hand gestures to communicate

: The technical language of ballet is almost entirely in French , tracing back to its origins in the French royal courts. Common terms include: Plié : To bend (the knees). En Pointe : Dancing on the tips of the toes. An Oath : Two fingers raised toward the sky

In the world of ballet, the "text" isn't spoken—it’s written in motion. While there is no dialogue on stage, the narrative is built through a (the written storyline) and a specialized physical language of pantomime . How Ballet "Speaks"