Wednesday, April 22, 2015

Wacky Wednesday Vaudeville Hooks



Wacky Wednesday Vaudeville Hooks

Back in the days of vaudeville, any poorly received performer was literally pulled offstage by a large hook, held by a manager in the wings. Poof! That artist was gone, and the next act went on.

Today I’d like you to consider having your own personal set of vaudeville hooks – but this time they are there to assist you, not eliminate you. 

Consider the position passé or retiré .  This position is often where the turn-out doesn’t work effectively, and since this position is so critical for many other things, like pirouettes, it is important to get it right.

So imagine a large vaudeville hook on your working heel, being pulled (gently) by an imaginary friend standing in front of you. Now imagine a second hook, this one on the working retiré knee being pulled (gently) by a friend standing behind you.

Of course, the turn-out should be created by rotating the leg (femur) in the hip socket, but these two hooks can help maintain all the proper muscular sensations.

From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets:

Secret #3q:  
To achieve a good, turned out retiré, imagine two large hooks: one on the passé heel, one on the working knee.”

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