2 3 Terminology Tuesday En Quarré | Ballet Webb

Tuesday, April 2, 2019

Terminology Tuesday En Quarré



Terminology Tuesday En Quarré

En quarré, [ahn ka-RAY] or carré means in the shape of a square. It indicates that the series of steps are to be performed in the four (or sometimes three) sides of a square shape. The word is comes from the Latin word quadratus.

The word quarré is considered obsolete, and indeed I have never heard it used in a dance class. However, when performing a series of steps en manége (in a circle), dancers are taught to think of their path as a square, moving along one side then changing their spot to the next wall as they progress around the room. The visual result is that of a circle although the dancer is actually traveling in a square.

Perhaps that’s why the term quarré is no longer used.

From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets
Terminology Secret #35:
“En quarré, or carré means in the shape of a square.”

Link of the Day:

Quote of the Day:
“Being a square keeps you from going around in circles.”

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