By Shannon
No matter what type of show they’re putting on, actors use movement in it. Blocking can be as simple as crossing from stage left to down center, or it can be as complicated as a Viennese Waltz across the stage. Actors who do not have dance training can be very limited if roles require a dance element. Unfortunately, even if dancing is one’s forte and number one passion, dance classes are expensive. For this reason, actors usually only take ballet, because ballet teaches the basics of everything an actor needs to know about movement. It’s challenging, but worth the money. Even if the role doesn’t include a dance component, ballet training is useful to any role. The following three categories of roles reflect common uses of ballet training by actors.
#1- Playing a Royal
Whether the role is Cleopatra, King Lear, or Cinderella, all of these royals hold a common posture and stride with a confident, graceful gait. While it may seem simple to stand up straight, actors who are not trained in ballet or another kind of dance, will appear far sloppier than those with proper training. Dancing actors will quickly incorporate the regal movements into their blocking. In addition, royals often hold parties where every guest dances ballroom-style. Being trained in ballet would be useful to Cinderella at the ball.
#2- Playing a Spirit/Fairy
Spirits are of another world and dimension, and therefore do not follow the rules of gravity. They are smooth and light as air, and therefore must move without weight. Ballet dancers are taught to make the least amount of sound, and move with absolute grace. An actor playing Ariel in The Tempest may be directed to leap and turn all over the stage, and training in ballet would enhance the weightlessness of the choreography.
#3- Playing an animal
Ballet dancers often portray animals in an abstract form, much like the way actors do. Playing a gorilla in Tarzan requires a good plié, and the leopard in Lion King is smooth as silk with her movements and fools the audience with merely a mask and a tan unitard. Being an animal in a show is a hard task, because it is all done metaphorically and therefore, the performers must take note of which movements truly resemble the animal and imitate them.
It is a worthy investment to take ballet as an actor, as it will open up limitless roles for the actor to play. Next investment: tap lessons!