Center work for men

[Danny]

I've always been the only guy in class and have always done exactly what the girls do. However, from performances I've seen it's obvious that men don't bourees or penches, among other typically feminine steps. Can someone describe or give examples of male specific petite allegro, adagio and grand allegro for say a beginning I ballet class?

 

Thanks

[Mel Johnson]

Arabesque penché not in the male vocabulary? News to me! At the Beginner's I level, male students are on an even footing with the female ones, just trying to get the vocabulary and the technique and the strength all going in the same direction! A glissade-jeté combination is the same no matter who does it.

[dancersteven]

I had to bouree in the last show I did, and I sure was grateful for that level 2 class with those little girls. I am not saying I boureed well, but better than I would have otherwise!

 

Especially at the begining levels, there really should not be much difference between what is the men and the ladies do, either at the barre or at the center. There may be an argument for some differences at higher levels, but even then, the same steps at a slower tempo will do just fine. At the begining levels the emphasis must be on simple, strong, clean execution of basic steps, whether one is a boy or a girl, once these are mastered, then the gentlemen can start to work on some of the different steps. In an ideal situation, this would happen in a set men's class, but we are not all so lucky . . .

 

S.

[Danny]

Thanks Mel, Steven,

 

I hope I didn't come off sounding like I am above anything we do in class, for I'm certainly not. I just wanted to know if I'm missing out on anything. Particularly after watching several documentaries (e.g. Children of Theatre Street) where the boys and girls are separated from the start.

[MJ]

Mel, I guess men should do port de bras EXACTLY like the ladies do.

We should wear pink too.

 

Penche' does helps develop extension and balance, but men rarely show their extension with their faces to the floor.

 

Let us celebrate the differences between men and women instead of celebrating androngony.

 

MJ

[Mel Johnson]

Mel, I guess men should do port de bras EXACTLY like the ladies do.

Penche' does helps develop extension and balance, but men rarely show their extension with their faces to the floor.

 

Let us celebrate the differences between men and women instead of celebrating androngony.

 

MJ

At a Beginning I level they jolly well OUGHT to do the port de bras exactly alike!

 

Never saw a man with a six o'clock arabesque? You need to get out more.

 

Let us get the basics right first, then we can worry about celebrating the differences.

 

And as for St. Petersburg, all I can say is Dallas International Airport - DFW - Different Freakin' World.

[Guest mic31]

I'm looking at the RAD syllabus for Intermediate here. There are alot of differences here. There are definitely male and female excersises for centre work. But saying that you really don't hear about the"guys do this and girls do that" until you have a firm foundation of the basics

[Mel Johnson]

Yes, in RAD Intermediate, you're actually quite far down the road, and the differences are rather marked. Unfortunately, the Academy does not have an adult version of Lower Grades and Recreational Track, which I think is necessary.

[Guest mic31]

sounds like a job for SuperMel.....dust off your cape big guy

[MJ]

Mel, I guess I got yer dancebelt in a knot. I'm a firm believer in men/boys getting some training from men even at a beginners level. I've seen dancers who never had a male teacher, and it shows. Hard to describe, but easy to spot.

 

Mike

[Mel Johnson]

And I do not believe in it. Second year in a children's curriculum is plenty of time to start fading in the differences, but to start, it's all the same.