Celebrate Spooky Season with the Ballet Giselle
Looking for a way to bring the magic of Halloween into the ballet classroom? I can’t think of a more haunting ballet to dive into this spooky season than the romantic ballet Giselle.
The eerie ballet tells the tragic story of a beautiful young peasant girl named Giselle who dies from a broken heart after being betrayed by her lover Albrecht. She is summoned from her grave into the vengeful sisterhood of the Wilis, the ghosts of unmarried women who died when betrayed on their wedding day and take their nightly revenge by dancing men to death. Eek! 😱
Whether you’re an educator looking to bring some Halloween excitement into your ballet class or a dancer eager to explore the realm of classical ballets, here are some fun ideas to expand your knowledge of the ballet Giselle!
Explore the art of mime
Even though dancers don’t speak on stage, we still have to be able to tell a story and connect with the audience. To achieve this, dancers use mime - body movements, facial expressions, and gestures.
Check out this video from the Australian Ballet and try your hand at some of the mime used in the ballet Giselle!
Learn Myrtha’s Act II Variation
Myrtha, Queen of the Wilis, commands her band of vengeful maidens with a chilling, unforgiving malice. Characterized by difficult bourrées, penchés and lots of chugs, this variation is not for the faint of heart.
Try your hand at this icy variation, danced here by Ekaterina Kondaurova, Principal Dancer with the Mariinsky Ballet
Practice Giselle’s Iconic Hairstyle
Giselle’s hairstyle – parted in the middle and pulled back tightly over the ears – was an instant hit in Paris when the ballet debuted in 1841.
Check out this tutorial by Kathryn Morgan to learn how to do the hairstyle for yourself! (Still looking for a Halloween costume for ballet class? Grab a white leo & romantic practice tutu, throw up your hair, and voila! Instant Giselle!)
Of course, no lesson in Giselle would be complete without diving into the full story. The Brainy Ballerina Guide to Classical Ballets includes a comprehensive guide to Giselle, complete with history, characters, synopsis, and some fun facts! Plus when you’re done with Giselle, you can spend time learning about four more iconic ballets! Grab your copy today and enjoy celebrating spooky season ballerina style!
Meet the Author
Caitlin Sloan is a Dance Educator and Career Mentor based in Madison, WI.
Caitlin received her Bachelor of Arts in Dance from Grand Valley State University and Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management from the University of Missouri.
She danced professionally for nine years with companies including Ballet Tucson and Missouri Contemporary Ballet (now Mareck Dance). Caitlin has taught at schools all over the Midwest, most notably serving as Director of The School of Missouri Contemporary Ballet and Youth Company Director for Central Indiana Dance Ensemble. She is currently on faculty at the School of Madison Ballet.
Caitlin founded The Brainy Ballerina® in 2019, a virtual resource providing support and guidance for aspiring ballet dancers. Follow @thebrainyballerina on Instagram for your daily dose of dance career guidance and inspiration.
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