When

What

1400s

Ballet had its beginnings in the 1400s in Europe’s Royal Courts. At this time, fencing was a very popular sport and was performed for kings and queens. Many people thought fencers looked like dancers because they were so graceful. The five ballet positions of ballet were inspired by fencers’ movements.

1500s

In the 1500s, an Italian noblewoman became the queen of France. For her sister’s wedding, the Queen requested a magical performance combining music, costumes, and dance. This first ballet in 1581 was called The Queen’s Dramatic Ballet (Le Ballet Comique de la Reine).

1600s

In the 1600s, the powerful French King Louis XIV ruled for 72 years. Not only was he good at ruling, but he loved dancing. He founded the world’s first ballet school – the Royal Academy of Dance – which later became, and still is today, the Paris Opera Ballet.

1700s

Through most of the 1700s, ballet told stories of magical beings – kings, gods, and heroes. During the late 1700s, the first funny ballet was presented. It was called The Poorly Guarded Girl (La Fille Mal Gardee) and told the story of “regular people”.

Early 1800s

In the early 1800s, artists became public heroes. The invention of toe shoes made it possible for ballerinas to dance on the tips of their toes. It changed everything in ballet. “En pointe” is the French term “to dance on point” or on your toes.

Mid 1800s

In the mid 1800s, ballet dancers perfect their art and stories begin to tell matters of the heart. A new ballet, La Sylphide, told a story of a beautiful spirit who falls in love with a human. Sadly, their love is doomed. This ballet was so successful that for more than 100 years, many ballets dealt with doomed love.
Also in the mid 1800s, men began to appear on stage more. August Bournonville and the Royal Danish Ballet created many ballets to show the strengths of male dancers. Many of these ballets are still performed today.

Late 1800s

In the late 1800s, in Russia, Marius Pepita and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky introduced some of the most popular ballets of all time, including Sleeping Beauty, The Nutcracker, and Swan Lake. Also during this period, dancers began wearing tutus. These short, stiff tulle skirts let ballerinas perform more difficult steps without their costumes getting in the way.
Also in the late 1800s, artists felt pressure to excel. Empress Catherine the Great created the Imperial Ballet School in St. Petersburg, Russia to train the world’s best ballet dancers. Anyone who attended this school became a member of the Russian court and had to wear uniforms, follow strict rules, and train hard. Much of today’s ballet is modeled after the skills learned during this period.

Early 1900s

In the early 1900s, Paris was the center of the dance world. European dancers shocked audiences with their bold new ideas, theatrical dances, and imaginative performances. This new form of dance helped shape ballet as we know it today.

Mid 1900s

Ballet dancing is different from one country to another. It is shaped by a country’s past and shows their style. In the mid 1900s, ballet arrives to the US and ballet troupes are formed and thrive. Among the notable troupe founders is George Balanchine who started New York City Ballet. The School of American Ballet was formed to train dancers to perform the most amazing moves ever seen in ballet.

Mid-Late 1900s

In the mid-late 1900s, ballets by Balanchine, Jerome Robbins, and Peter Martins were at the heart of American ballet troupe repertoire. Their focus on bold dancing and music set them apart from others.

Late 1900s-Today

Ballet Arizona was created in 1986, resultant of a merge between three young, struggling ballet troupes in Phoenix and Tucson. The first Artistic Director was Jean-Paul Comelin. A foundation of excellence and creativity was established. Comelin was followed by Donald Dadey as interim Artistic Coordinator, then Michael Uthoff as Artistic Director until 1999. In 2000, Ib Andersen, veteran dancer of the Royal Danish Ballet and New York City Ballet, was hired as Artistic Director. Andersen continues to lead the dance corps of 30 today. As an innovative and provocative professional ballet company, Ballet Arizona’s mission is to teach, create and perform outstanding classical and contemporary ballet and to serve its communities through superior educational and engagement programs.