Ballet Resource Guide

for Teachers

Principal dancer Erin Halloran in Twyla Tharpes Junk Duet, 2008

Photo: Rich Sofranko

Pittsburgh Ballet Theatres Arts Education programs

are supported by
Family Series Sponsor

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Foundation
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Produced by Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre Department of Arts Education and Community Engagement, 2011

Ballet
can be a thrilling spectacle. The sheer beauty and physicality of the movement, the music, the
sets and costumes combine to create an extraordinary experience in the theater.

Principal Dancer Julia Erickson in The Sleeping Beauty, 2009

Photo: Rich Sofranko

This guide includes general information about ballet as an art form and a discipline and is
designed to prepare students to see a Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre Student Matinee performance.
Performance-specific guides are also available. The guides provide curricular support with
contextual information and activities that align with PDE Academic Standards to enhance and
enliven your students' experience attending the ballet.

Contents
History of Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre 5
What is Ballet?........................................................................................................... 6
A Brief History of Ballet.. 9
The Point of Pointe Shoes. 12
About Ballet Dancers.. 14
Seeing a Performance at the Benedum . 15
Ballet Vocabulary .... 16

Educator Activities
Movement and Choreography Activities
Activity 1: Basic Ballet Positions 18
PDE Academic Standards: 9.1
Activity 2: Choreograph a Ballet.. 19
PDE Academic Standards: 1.6, 2.4, 9.1, 9.3, 9.4, 10.5
Activity 3: Mime in Ballet 22
PDE Academic Standards: 9.1, 9.2, 9.3, 9.4, 10.5
Audience Expectations at the Theater. 27
PDE Academic Standards: 1.7, 1.8, 9.1, SIS2
What to Wear: Fashion Advice for All Occasions. 31
PA Academic Standards: 1.4, 1.6, 9.1, 9.2, 9.3, 9.4, 11.2
Where are We Sitting? ............................................................................................... 34
PA Academic Standards: 2.1, 2.2, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6
Can We Afford this Trip? ........................................................................................... 35
PDE Academic Standards: 2.1, 2.2, 2.4, 2.5, 6.5, 7.1, 7.4
Are We There Yet? ..................................................................................................... 38
PDE Academic Standards: 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4
Renovating the Benedum Center .. 41
PDE Academic Standards: 2.2, 2.3, 3.4, 4.3, 4.4, 9.2, 11.1
Jobs at PBT . 44
PA Academic Standards: 1.4, 1.5, 1.8, 2.1, 2.2, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 9.1, 11.1, 13.1, 13.3
Get with the Program 50
PA Academic Standards: 1.8, 2.2, 5.1, 5.3, 6.4, 6.5, 9.1, 11.1

History of Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre

Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre (PBT) was founded in 1969 as an affiliate of Point Park College under
the direction of Artistic Director Nicolas Petrov and Board Chair Loti Falk. Charismatic and
connected, Petrov created instant buzz by bringing star power to PBT with guest performances
by New York City Ballets Violette Verdy, Edward Villella, Natalia Makarova, and others; he also
collaborated on works for PBT with renowned choreographers such as Ruth Page and Leonide
Massine. In 1970/71, PBT presented its first subscription season at the Syria Mosque with one
performance of Swan Lake and four of The Nutcracker.
Petrov invited famed Ballet Russes principal dancer Frederic Franklin to join PBT as Co-Artistic
Director in 1974.Under their leadership, PBT added classics such as Giselle, Coppelia and
Cinderella to its repertoire. In 1977 Petrov and Franklin stepped down, and PBT also gained its
independence from Point Park College. The Company was led briefly by former London Festival
Ballet principal dancer John Gilpin.
French dancer and choreographer Patrick Frantz was appointed Artistic Director in 1978. Frantz
emphasized contemporary works in the Company's repertoire, adding Harald Landers
masterpiece, Etudes and Agnes De Milles Rodeo. PBT made its New York debut with Frantz.
His greatest legacy, perhaps, is the PBT School. With the support of board member and former
Pittsburgh Steeler Lynn Swann, Frantz spearheaded the development of the school. Today
PBTS has an enrollment of 300 students, a summer intensive program that draws students from
around the nation and world, and a renowned Graduate Program for pre-professional dancers.
By the early 1980s, PBT was one of the nation's largest ballet companies. In 1982 Patricia
Wilde became Artistic Director. A celebrated former principal dancer of the New York City Ballet
and one of the world's foremost classical ballerinas, Wilde was a protg of the great
choreographer, George Balanchine. With a focus on the clean, precise technique for which she
was famous, Wilde took PBT to new levels of maturity. Under her direction, the Company added
numerous Balanchine ballets and became known for their brilliant execution. She also
commissioned dozens of world premieres, brought works by Alvin Ailey and Choo San Goh to
PBT for the first time, and launched PBTs comprehensive arts education program.
On Wildes retirement, Terrence S. Orr,
former principal dancer and Ballet
Master at American Ballet Theatre, was
named Artistic Director. He dedicated
the company to the creation of new
ballets and to building audiences
through innovative programming and
collaboration. Orr commissioned ballets
inspired by 20th Century American music
icons such as Sting, Bruce Springsteen
and Frank Sinatra; he collaborated with
Houston Ballet on the high-flying
2011 production of Dracula. Photo: Rich Sofranko
Dracula, and with Houston and Boston
Ballet on a spectacular new, full-length
Cleopatra. And in a bold stroke, Orr reshaped a classic, setting The Nutcracker in turn-of-the
century Pittsburgh. Today, Mr. Orr and PBT continue to lead professional ballet and dance in
Pittsburgh into the future.

What is Ballet?
Ballet is an art form created by the movement of the human body. It is theatricalperformed on
a stage to an audience utilizing costumes, scenic design and lighting. It can tell a story or
express a thought or emotion. Ballet can be magical, exciting, provoking or disturbing.

Light: The Holocaust and Humanity Project, by Stephen Mills, 2009

Photo: Rich Sofranko

Types of Ballet
Story ballets (not
surprisingly!) tell a story.
They contain narrative
action, characters, and a
beginning and end. The
Nutcracker and The
Sleeping Beauty are
famous story ballets from
the 19th century; classic
stories and novels such as
The Great Gatsby and The
Three Musketeers
have also been
transformed into ballets.

The Three Musketeers, by

Andre Prokovsky, 2010
Photo: Rich Sofranko

Plotless ballets
have no
storyline: rather
they utilize the
movement of the
body and
theatrical
elements to
interpret music,
create an image,
or to express or
provoke emotion.
George
Balanchine was
a prolific creator
of plotless
ballets.
In the Upper Room, by Twyla Tharpe, 2010. Photo: Rich Sofranko

Styles of Ballet
Classical ballet is what people generally think of when we talk about ballet. Classical ballet
reached its height in 19th century Russia through the work of choreographers like Marius Petipa
and Lev Ivanov. It is characterized by:

graceful, flowing movements

classical form: turn-out of the legs and pointe work
balance and symmetry
ethereal quality
emphasis on story ballets and narrative
elaborate sets and costumes

Principal dancers Erin Halloran and Nurlan Abugaliev in Marius Petipas classical ballet, Swan Lake, 2010
Photo: Rich Sofranko

Neo-classical ballet was introduced in the 20th century by choreographers like George
Balanchine. It generally includes:

increased speed, energy and attack

manipulation of the classical form
asymmetry; an off-balance feel
non-narrative; often one-act ballets
paired down aestheticsimple sets and costumes
Principal dancers Christopher Budzinksi
and Alexandra Kochis in Jean-Christophe
Maillots Romeo et Juliette, 2009
Photo: Rich Sofranko

Contemporary ballet is influenced by modern dance styles. Renowned contemporary ballet

choreographers include Twyla Tharp, Paul Taylor and Dwight Rhoden. In contemporary ballet
you may see:

floor work
turn-IN of the legs
greater range of movement and body line
pointe shoes but also bare feet

Company Dancer Alejandro

Diaz with the corps de
ballet in Paul Taylors
Company B, 2010
Photo: Rich Sofranko

A Brief History of Ballet

Ballet originated in the Italian Renaissance courts of the 15th century. Noblemen and women
were treated to lavish events, especially wedding celebrations, where dancing and music
created an elaborate spectacle. Dancing masters taught the steps to the nobility and the court
participated in the performances. In the 16th century, Catherine de Medici, an Italian
noblewoman, wife of King Henry II of France, and a great patron of the arts, began to fund ballet
in the French court. Her elaborate festivals encouraged the growth of ballet de cour, a program
that included dance, decor, costume, song, music, and poetry. A century later, King Louis XIV
helped to popularize and standardize the art form. A passionate dancer, he danced many roles
himself, including that of the Sun King in Ballet de la nuit. His
love of ballet fostered its elevation from a past time for
amateurs to an endeavor requiring professional training.
By 1661 a dance academy had opened in Paris and in 1681
ballet moved from the courts to the stage. The French opera
Le Triomphe de lAmour incorporated ballet elements in its
performance, creating a long-standing opera-ballet tradition in
France. By the mid-1700s French ballet master Jean
Georges Noverre rebelled against the artifice of opera-ballet,
believing that ballet could stand on its own as an art form. His
notionsthat ballet should contain expressive, dramatic
movement, and that movement should reveal the
relationships between charactersintroduced the ballet
daction, a dramatic style of ballet that conveys a narrative.
Noverres work is considered the precursor to the narrative
ballets of the 19th century.
King Louis XIV in Ballet de la
nuit, 1653
PD-US

The 19th Century

Early classical ballets such as Giselle and La Sylphide were created
during the Romantic Movement in the first half of the 19th century.
This movement influenced art, music and ballet. It was concerned
with the supernatural world of spirits and magic and often showed
women as passive and fragile. These themes are reflected in the
ballets of the time and are called romantic ballets. This is also the
period of time when dancing on the tips of the toes, known as pointe
work, became the norm for the ballerina. The romantic tutu, a calflength, full skirt made of tulle, was introduced.
Carlotta Grisi, wearing a romantic tutu, as Giselle, 1841
PD-US

The popularity of ballet soared in Russia and during the latter half of the 19th century as
Russian choreographers and composers took it to new heights. Marius Petipas The Nutcracker,
The Sleeping Beauty and Swan Lake, by Petipa and Lev Ivanov, represent classical ballet in its
grandest form. The main purpose was to display classical techniquepointe work, high
extensions, precision of movement, and
turn-out (the outward rotation of the thighs
from the hips)to the fullest. Complicated
sequences that show off demanding steps,
leaps and turns were choreographed into
the story. The classical tutu, much shorter
and stiffer than the romantic tutu, was
introduced at this time to reveal a ballerinas
legs and the difficulty of her movements and
footwork.
Soloist Christine Schwaner as the Bluebird in
Marius Petipas
The Sleeping Beauty, 2009
Photo: Rich Sofranko

In the early part of the 20th century, Russian choreographers Sergei Diaghilev and Michel
Fokine began to experiment with movement and costume, moving beyond the confines of
classical ballet form and story. Diaghilev collaborated with composer Igor Stravinsky on the
ballet The Rite of Spring, a work so differentwith dissonant music, a story of human sacrifice,
and unfamiliar movementsthat it caused the audience to riot.
Choreographer and New York City Ballet founder George Balanchine, a Russian who emigrated
to America, would change ballet even further. He introduced what is now known as neoclassical ballet, a form that expands the classical form. He also is considered by many to be the
greatest innovator of the contemporary plotless ballet. With no definite story line, its purpose is
to use movement to express the music and to illuminate human emotion and endeavor. Today,
ballet is multi-faceted. Classical
forms, traditional stories, and
contemporary choreographic
innovations intertwine to produce
the character of modern ballet.

Principal dancer Christopher Budzinski

as the Jester in Ben Stevensons
modern take on the
traditional story, Cinderella. 2009
Photo: Rich Sofranko

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Whats Next?
As choreographers continue to create diverse styles of ballets, ballet companies are giving
dance audiences a wide range of experiences in the theater. What do you think will be the next
phase for ballet?
Learn More!
Listen to an interview with author Jennifer Homans about Apollos Angels: A History of Ballet, a
book published in 2010: http://www.npr.org/2010/12/13/132023182/the-tutu-s-tale-a-culturalhistory-of-ballet-s-angels
Or check out the following at your local library, bookstore, or at Amazon.com:

Apollos Angels: A History of Ballet, by Jennifer Homans, 2010

Ballet: An Illustrated History, by Clement Crist and Mary Clark, 1992

Ballet and Modern Dance: A Concise History, by Jack Anderson, 1993

Ballet in Western Culture: A History of its Origins and Evolution, by Carol Lee,
1992

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The Point of Pointe Shoes!

What are pointe shoes?
Pointe shoes are specially made shoes worn by ballerinas to allow them to dance on the tips of
their toes.

Photo: Ric Evans

What are pointe shoes made of?

Pointe shoes look dainty but they really arent. The tip of the shoe is a rigid box made of densely
packed layers of fabric, cardboard, and/or paper hardened by glue. The dancer depends on it to
be extremely sturdy: the entire weight of her body is balanced on a small platform in that box!
The rest of the shoe is made of leather, cotton and satin. Each shoe is custom hand-made to fit
each dancers specifications. No two pairs of pointe shoes are identical!
Why do ballet dancers wear pointe shoes?
Pointe shoes make ballet dancing look magical and
even daring. They create an illusion of lightness
and give a sense that the ballerina is floating on air.

Former PBT principal dancer Kumiko Tsuji in Twyla

Tharpes In the Upper Room, 2010
Photo: Rich Sofranko

Do male dancers wear pointe shoes?

Not normally. Sometimes men wear pointe shoes for comedic effect, such as for the Stepsister
characters in Cinderella (men are often cast as the sisters). Male ballet dancers usually wear a
leather or canvas slipper with a soft sole, which allows the foot flexibility when jumping.

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Can a dancer just put on a pair of pointe shoes and start dancing?
No! Each time a dancer gets a new pair of pointe shoes she has to break them in. Some
methods include:
darning the platform of the box to provide traction and to prevent the satin from fraying
pounding the box of the shoe with a hammer to soften it
opening and closing a door on the box
cutting the satin off the box and using a carpenter's file to rough up the sole
lining the inside of the box with floor wax or shellac to mold the shoes and prolong wear
All dancers sew on their own ribbons and elastic to hold their shoes in place.
How long do pointe shoes last?
Not longsometimes for just one performance (or part of a performance!), depending on the
difficulty of the ballet. A professional ballerina can go through 100-120 pairs of pointe shoes in
one season. At a cost of about $80 each, PBT spends close to $100,000 on pointe shoes per
year.
When can a ballerina start dancing on pointe?
In most cases, somewhere between age 11 and 13. A young dancer must have several years of
good dance and strength training to ensure that her feet, ankles and legs are strong enough to
handle the stress of dancing on her toes.
When did ballerinas begin dancing with pointe shoes?
Italian ballerina Maria Taglioni was the first ballerina that we know of to dance on pointe in the
early 1830s, but the method probably began earlier. Taglioni and her contemporaries stuffed the
toes of their soft shoes with starch and other materials, but soon Italian cobblers made harder
shoes for them using paper, burlap and satin. This prototype evolved into the modern pointe
shoe.
Learn More!
Check out these links for more information on pointe shoes:
The Physics of Pointe Shoes: a Science Project: http://pointeshoephysics.blogspot.com/
The Anatomy of a Pointe Shoe:
http://www.capeziodance.com/howto/articles/HowTo_Articles_AnatomyofaPointeShoe.php

13

About Ballet Dancers

Dancing as a profession is a lifelong pursuit, beginning earlysometimes as young as age two.
Ballet movements are specific, precise and require years of difficult training to master. Students
(and professional dancers as well) begin every day with class, in which they practice basic ballet
positions and movement, balance, precise placement and the artistry of dance. Additional
classes in technique or dance styles follow, along with rehearsals for productions. The schedule
sometimes makes for a grueling work day. Student dancers take classes six days per week.
Most students typically begin auditioning for companies in their late teens. If a dancer is talented
enough to become part of a professional ballet company, he or she will usually begin dancing as
a member of the corps de ballet (the ensemble). This is where many dancers will stay for their
entire career. Those with a high degree of musicality and technical proficiency, and who
demonstrate an exquisite artistry and audience connection, will achieve the rank of soloist. The
highest rank in a company, principal dancer, is attained only by the most gifted dancers.
Because of the tremendous physical stamina required, as well as the rigorous and demanding
schedule, most dancers careers are short. The average age for retirement of classical ballet
dancers is in their early thirties, although many performers have gone on to dance for many
years beyond this.

Soloist Robert Moore and Principal Dancer Julia Erickson in George Balanchine's Agon, 2011
Photo: Rich Sofranko

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Seeing a Performance at the Benedum

Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre performs student matinees at the Benedum Center for the Performing
Arts, one of Pittsburghs grand downtown theaters. It is also home to the Pittsburgh Opera and
the Civic Light Opera.
Please see page 30 for a reminder about audience expectations at the theater. Please
review these with your class (and explore the related activity!) before attending the
performance.
Click here for more information about the Benedum:
http://www.pgharts.org/venues/benedum.aspx

Photo: Benedum Center for the Performing Arts

Dont Miss This! Interesting Things to Look for at the Historic Benedum Center
1. The Marquees - When you arrive at the theater note the marquees on the front and Penn
Avenue sides of the theater. They were designed in 1928 to showcase the "new" electric lights.
By the terms of the Historic Landmark agreement there is only limited reference to the new
name of the theater: The Benedum Center for the Performing Arts. You will also see references
to the original name, The Stanley Theater.
2. Grand Lobby - All but one of the original murals on the ceiling of the Grand Lobby were
destroyed over the years. Celeste Parendo, the painter who re-created them, worked from
photographs of the designs and from one well-preserved mural for the colors. Much of her work
was done with Q-tips. She tried to lie on her back and paint as Michelangelo did when he
painted the Sistine Chapel, however, in that position her hand went numb due to lack of
circulation. She quickly found ways to kneel or stand on the scaffolding in order to finish her
painting.

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3. Orchestra Pit - The pit is where the orchestra sits to play the music for ballet or other
performances. It is divided into two sections, each of which can be raised or lowered by a builtin hydraulic lift. With a smaller orchestra, half of the pit is raised and additional seating is
installed. If an orchestra is not required, the entire pit is raised for seating.
4. Proscenium Arch - The opening around the stage is the proscenium. In accordance with
the guidelines of the Historic Landmark restoration, the original elaborately painted plaster arch
has been restored. (You can see the top of the arch from the balcony.) An exception to the
restoration guidelines was made for the wooden acoustical arch. The panels in the arch can be
adjusted to change the acoustics of the theater or they can be opened to accommodate
vocalists, actors or musicians.
5. Chandelier - Believe it or not, this beautiful centerpiece
to the theater's elaborate dome weighs 2 tons and contains
over 50,000 pieces of crystal. When it is cleaned the
chandelier is lowered to a certain point and then scaffolding
is built around it. Each crystal is washed in soapy water
and replaced. The chandelier is cleaned about once a year:
it takes a crew of twelve people two full working days.
Photo: Benedum Center for the Performing Arts

6. The Stage - This is the third largest stage in the country. (The largest is the Metropolitan
Opera in New York City and second is the Indiana University School of Music in Bloomington.)
The full stage measures 144 feet wide by 78 feet deep. The performance space that you will
see is 56 feet by 56 feet. The wooden floor is covered with marley, a black rubber-like, non-skid
surface that is made for dancing.

Ballet Vocabulary
Though ballet actually began in Italy, it was formalized in France in the 17th century. Ballet
terminology has remained largely in the French language. Ballet dancers across the world learn
and can communicate with this universal ballet vocabulary.
ballerina (bah-luh-ree'nah) A leading female dancer of a ballet company. A dancer earns the
title ballerina through years of hard work and great dancing.
ballet (bah-lay') From the Italian ballare, to dance.
chain (sheh-nay') A series of turns on pointe (on tips of toes) or demi-pointe (on balls of feet)
executed in a line or in a circle, in which the feet remain close to the floor and the weight is
transferred rapidly and almost imperceptibly from one foot to the other as the body revolves.
choreographer (cor-ee-og'ra-fer) Someone who makes dances. Originally the word meant
someone who records dances, but has come to mean the person responsible for the design of
movement in ballet.
classic (klas'ik) In ballet, classic applies to a rigorous basic vocabulary of steps and
movements capable of infinite variations and a system of instruction that makes such variation
possible for individual dancers.
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corps de ballet (core, di, bah-lay') Dancers who appear only in large groups. The corps de
ballet is the backbone of every ballet company.
divertissement (di-ver-tis-mah') From the French: entertainment or enjoyment. A short dance
inserted between the acts of a classic or story ballet designed to show off the technical ability of
the featured dancer(s).
entrechat (an-tray-sha') Probably from the Italian intrecciare, to weave, to braid. A beating
step of elevation in which the dancer jumps straight in the air from a pli and crosses his feet a
number of times, making a weaving motion in the air.
jet (zhe-tay') From the French jeter, to throw. This is a jump in which the weight of the body is
thrown from one foot to the other.
pas (pah) From French, meaning step. A simple step or compound movement which involves
a transfer of weight. Pas can also be used to describe a dance by a soloist.
pas de deux (pah-duh-duh') A dance for two people.
pass (pah-sey) From the French passer, to pass. A movement in which the pointed foot of the
working leg passes (but does not touch or rest on) the knee of the supporting leg.
piqu (pee-kay') Executed by stepping directly on the point (tip of the toes) or demi-pointe (ball of
the foot) of the working foot in any desired direction or position with the other foot raised in the air.
pirouette (peer-oo-wet') A complete turn of the body on one foot.
pli (plee-ay') From the French plier, to bend. In the classic dance, this is a bending of the
knees, with the knees wide open and the feet turned outward. The function of the pli in the
dancer's body is like the function of the springs in an automobile, and is necessary for the
development of flexibility.
port de bras (port, duh, brah') In ballet, the movement or carriage of the arms.
relev (ruhl-VAY) From the French relever, to raise. To raise the body on one or two feet,
either on pointe (on the tips of her toes) or demi-pointe (on the ball of the foot). There are two
styles of relev : a dancer rises with a smooth articulation of the foot, or the dancer can a little
jump or spring to get on pointe or demi-pointe.
saut (soh-tay') Jumped or jumping.
tutu (tew' tew) A skirt used in classical ballet made of many layers of tulle or netting. The
classical tutu rests high on the leg so that the movements made by the ballerinas legs are
clearly visible. A romantic tutu is longer, falling at mid-calf.
Learn More!
Check out this link to American Ballet Theatres Ballet Dictionary for more definitions and
video examples of ballet terms: http://www.abt.org/education/dictionary/index.html

17

Educator ActivitiesPreparation is Key!

Movement and Choreography Activities
Activity 1: Basic Ballet Positions
Grades: K-12
Time needed: partial class period
PDE Academic Standards: 9.1
Positions of the Feet: In ballet there are five basic positions of the feet, numbered one through
five. Refer to the pictures below and match your feet to each of them.

First Position

Second Position

Third Position

Fourth Position

Fifth Position

Positions of the Arms: There are also various positions of the arms. Match your arms to the
pictures shown below.

First Position

Second Position

Fourth Position

Third Position

Fifth Position

18

Movements in Dance: There are multiple steps referred to as the "movements in dance."
There are three movements that ballet/dance beginners are taught. First learn to pronounce the
terminology given below, learn the definition, and then attempt to do the movement described.
pli (plee-ay): to bend. Keeping both feet flat on the floor at all times, bend your knees.
Remember to send your knees directly out over your toes!
2. relev (ruh-leh-vay): to rise. This can be done on one foot or both feet together. Start
with the feet together, keep the knees straight, and lift the heels high enough so all of
your body weight is on the balls of the feet NOT the tips of your toes. Repeat this on
one foot.
3. saut (soh-tay): to jump. This sort of jump is performed "two feet to two feet." This
means that you leave the ground by jumping off of both feet at the same time, and you
land on both feet at the same time. Begin in a pli (as described above). Using your feet
the same way you did to perform relev, propel yourself into the air. Be sure to
straighten and extend your legs in the air, but land in pli to cushion your knees.
1.

Next Steps
Now, combine what you have learned. Choose one position of the feet to stand in and one
position of the arms to hold at the same time. Next, perform each of the movements of dance
listed above while continuing to hold the positions of the feet and arms you chose. Now youre
dancing!

Activity 2: Choreograph a Ballet

Grades: K-12
Time needed: one or two 45-minute class period (depending upon explorations)
Materials needed: cd player, ambient music
PA Academic Standards: 1.6, 2.4, 9.1, 9.3, 9.4, 10.5
By the end of this activity, students should be able to:
correctly demonstrate relational terminology through bodily movement
create a short movement piece using relational terminology around a topic chosen by
the teacher and/or students
compare and contrast movement choices made
evaluate the effectiveness and applicability of movement choices with respect to the
topic
Introduction
Choreography, like many other art forms, is concerned with how content, form, technique, and
projection come together to create a meaningful dance.
In dance,
content = the central concern of the work;
form = the structure of the piece from beginning to end;
technique = the technical ability of the dancer; and
projection = the interaction between the audience and the performer.
Choreographers will experiment extensively with movement in order to create a new work. The

19

following movement exploration focuses on relational math terms in preparation for creating
your own dance piece!
Part One--Movement Explorations
Educators role:
Facilitate and guide students through explorations using oral instructions and sidecoaching
Model concepts if necessary
Make mental observations about students movements for reflection and assessment
turn on ambient music to help focus students
facilitate reflection discussion
Students pick an inanimate object from the classroom. They do not need to vocalize what the
object is and its okay if multiple students pick the same object. Have students react to the
object in the following ways, moving:
Toward
Under
Through
Over
From bottom to top
Around
Away
As if it were not there

Then have students partner up with someone whom they can maintain focus and concentration
with for this next exploration, Body Question and Answer. One student is Partner A, one
student is Partner B. Partner A initiates a movement, Partner B responds using the following
(and dont forget to switch leaders throughout the exercise!):
Mirroring

Contrasting

Extending

Reversing

Sidecoaching Suggestions:
Think about relating to the objects with different parts of your body (i.e. How does your
head go toward the object? How does your knee go away from the object? How does
the torso go under the object?)
Think about using different levels--high, middle, and low (to the ground if you need to!)
Think about the speed with which you are moving. On a scale of 1-10, 1 being the
slowest, 10 being the fastest, move at a _________. How does this change the
movement and your interaction with the object?
Try repeating your movement again and again and again (at different speeds, at different
levels, etc.) How did the quality of the movement change?
Reflection Questions for Part One--Movement Explorations
What was exciting about that activity? What was challenging about that activity?
How did it feel differently to be relating to an inanimate object versus another person?
Describe the process of moving with another person. How did you have to change and
adapt?

20

(for middle and high school students) What scientific forces were at work while you were
moving? (gravity, levers, balance, etc.) How did you adapt to these various forces while
you were moving?
Part Two--Create your own dance!
Educators role:
Facilitate and guide students through the creation of their dance pieces using oral
instructions and side-coaching
Model concepts if necessary
Make mental observations about students movements for reflection and assessment
turn on ambient music to help focus students
facilitate reflection discussion
Give students a topic that they will create a 5-8 movement dance sequence about or brainstorm
topics with students. Topics can be taken directly from your curriculum. Here are some ideas if
youre stuck:
Language arts--fairy tales or another genre
Math--geometric shapes, patterns
Science--seasons, weather, life cycles, physical forces
Social Studies--historical events, famous people
Social and Behavior Education--friendship, bullying, teamwork
Break students into groups of 3 to create their own dance sequence around the chosen topics.
Give students an appropriate amount of time to create their dance based upon their age, the
length of the sequence, and their enthusiasm. Things for them to consider:
Do you all do the same movement all the time in the same direction? What happens if
you choose not to?
How long do you do each movement for?
Do you do a movement more than once or repeat it later?
How do you create a beginning, middle, and end to your dance? (starting and ending
poses are a great place to start!)
How do you transition from movement to movement?
Sidecoaching Suggestions:
Use previous suggestions.
Explore your movement options. Figure out the best way to tell your topic without words!
After students have created their dance and rehearsed it a few time, have students share their
dances for each other. While observing the dances, have students pay special attention to the
similarities and differences in the dances and be prepared to discuss.
Reflection Questions for Part Two--Create your own dance!
What was exciting about that activity? What was challenging about that activity?
Compare and contrast the different dances. What was similar and you saw in many
pieces? What was different or unique to just one dance?
How did the dancers relationship to one another (far away, close together, under/over,
etc.) in each piece support or not support the topic?
What movements did you think really fit the topic? What movements did you think did not
fit the topic? How could they be adapted to better fit the topic?

21

How was the topic accurately displayed through movement?

Assessment options:
Observation by educator during exercises
Self-reflection by students (journal writing, oral discussion, etc.)
Video tape the movement pieces and have students assess themselves based on rubric

Activity 3: Mime in Ballet

Grades: 3-12
Time needed: one 45-minute class period
Materials needed: cd player, ambient music, mime cards, Classical Mime Worksheet
PA Academic Standards: 9.1, 9.2, 9.3, 9.4, 10.5
By the end of this activity, students should be able to:
correctly demonstrate mime terminology through bodily movement
compose a short movement story using mime terminology that has a clear beginning,
middle, and end
interpret movement pieces that were composed by their peers
Introduction
In ballet there is no dialogue. A story ballet relies primarily on pantomime for exposition.
Pantomime helps convey character, and every gesture is important in the telling of the story.
In ballet, there is a standard mime vocabulary used by every ballet company. For example, a
dancer from Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre and a dancer from New York City Ballet would mime the
word "love" in exactly the same way. The Classical Mime Worksheet explains some basic mime
gestures.
Part One--Exploring Mime Charades
Educators role:
Divide students into groups (3-5 students in each)
Facilitate and guide students through exploring mime movements
Model concepts if necessary
Make mental observations about students movements for reflection and assessment
turn on ambient music to help focus students
facilitate reflection discussion
Divide students into small groups. Hand out the Classical Mime Worksheet to every student and
have them silently read over. While they are doing this, have each group pick 4-5 of the mime
cards. Each group will be responsible for figuring out what the movement looks like, based on
the description and pictures, and for teaching those movements to the class. Give groups 5
minutes to come up with their mime gestures.
Charades: Have each group share gestures with the class WITHOUT using words. Have
students in the audience guess which gesture they are making based on their sheet. After they
have correctly guessed, all students should repeat the gesture they have just seen at least 3
times so they will remember it.
Sidecoaching Suggestions:

22

Encourage students to analyze their movements and explore all possibilities. Show all
the diifferent ways we point to ourselves (for I) or that we could hold up two fingers
high (for true/faithful). What seems to represent the idea the clearest?
Rehearse how you are going to teach the movement to the class as a group without
talking. What will you teach first, second, third, and fourth?
What could the rest of your body being doing during these mimes--legs, arms, face?
Show us what the idea is with these other body parts (especially the face!).
Reflection Questions for Part One--Exploring Mime Charades
What were all the different ways you communicated with your group during this activity?
How did you have to change your communication when you werent allowed to talk?
Quick check: Without looking at the worksheet, recall 3 of the most interesting mime
gestures you saw or did and explain why they were interesting.
Part Two--Create your own mime story!
Educators role:
Divide students into groups (3-5 students in each)
Facilitate and guide students through creating their own mime stories
Model concepts if necessary
Make mental observations about students movements for reflection and assessment
turn on ambient music to help focus students
facilitate reflection discussion
In small groups, students will create a story using just mime movements using one of the
variations below. Allow students 5-10 minutes to create a story using the 6 movements. The 6
movements should be connected by other movement of characters going on or off stage,
made up mime gestures, transitions, etc. The story should have a clear beginning, middle and
end. After the students have completed their short movement stories, share with the class.
Variation 1: Each group should choose 6 movements from the Classical Mime Worksheet to
create a story.
Variation 2: Students draw 6 mime cards (will need an extra set) and create a mime story
using these.
Sidecoaching Suggestions:
Have a strong beginning, middle, and end. How could you start and end the piece?
If you are stuck, draft out your story on paper first to understand how to connect all the
gestures.
Rehearse, rehearse, rehearse!
What could the rest of your body being doing during these mimes--legs, arms, face?
Show us what the idea is with these other body parts (especially the face!).
Reflection Questions for Part TwoCreate your own mime story!
What was your interpretation of this groups story? Does anyone have a different
interpretation?
How did different groups effectively communicate their story? What did they do with their
bodies?
Why is it important to speak with our bodies as well as our words?

23

Assessment
Observation of participation and engagement during movement activities.
Participation and insights during reflection.
Interpretation of Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre performancedid the concepts transfer?
Classical Mime Worksheet
Here are common ideas in mime and the physical movement used to express these ideas.
Ideas

Movement

I
King
Devil
Love
Knocking
Sewing
You/He/She
Think
See
Beautiful/Handsome
Crazy
Marry
True/Faithful
Dress
Hear
Someone
Enter
Cry
Mice/Rats
Dance
Die/dead
Yes
No

point to yourself
hand gestures on sides of head in form of crown
two gestures on top of head/fingers in shape of horns
two hands on heart
tap fist in hand three times
pull needle through fabric
gesture to other person palm up
touch your temple
point to each eye
circle your face/draw hand down face
circle around your ear
point to your ring finger
hold two fingers high
gesture along sides of clothing
cup your ear with your hand
hold your first finger up
sweeping gesture with both arms across your body
gesture with all fingers from eyes
moving fingers as whiskers
circling hands overhead
cross arms-hands in fist
nod head
turn head or gesture with arms

24

Mime Cards
I

King

Devil

Love

Knocking

Sewing

You/He/She

Think

See

Beautiful/Handsome

Crazy

Marry

True/Faithful

Dress

Hear

Someone

Enter

Cry

Mice/Rats

Dance

25

Die/Dead

Yes

No

26

Audience Expectations at the Benedum Center

Grades: 3-12
Time needed: one-two 45-minute class periods
Materials needed: House Rules worksheet, writing utensils, handouts of Audience
Expectations
PDE Academic Standards: 1.7, 1.8, 9.1, SIS2
By the end of this activity, students will be able to:
Explain and analyze different rules and behaviors for different environments (including
performing arts experiences) and settings
Dramatize formal and informal language choices in different situations
Introduction:
It is a special privilege to attend a live performance at the Benedum Center for the Performing
Arts. Courteous behavior allows everyone, including the dancers, to fully enjoy and concentrate
on the performance.
Part One--House Rules
Educators Role:
Copy House Rules worksheet (1 per group)
Break students into small groups
Facilitate follow-up discussion
Divide students into small groups of 4-5. Ask students to complete the following House Rules
worksheet. After groups have completed it, have groups share responses. A student or two
could serve as recorders and write down responses on a white board or large post-its. Reflect
on and discuss the most appropriate rules for each circumstance.
Reflection Questions
What common rules are there for each environment?
What considerations do you have to make for a live performance of...a rock concert? A
play? A ballet?
Part Two--Setting the Barre High
Educators Role
Copy Audience Expectations worksheet and cut rules into groups of two.
Break students into small groups
Facilitate follow-up discussion
The Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre and the Benedum Center has set the barre high for students
while attending a student matinee. Divide students into 5 groups. Give each group 2 rules from
the Audience Expectations worksheet. Ask them to discuss what the purpose of the rule is
and why it is in place. Have each group share the rules
Reflection Questions
What will happen if you do not follow audience expectations? Think about not only
school policies but the Benedum Center Policies.
What rules do you think are missing from this list and why would they be important?
What rules on the list do you think are not important and why?

27

Part Three--Say it with Grace!

Educators Role
Model concept of rude versus polite language and behavior for students
Break students into partners, if necessary
Facilitate follow-up discussion.
While you are most definitely responsible for your own behavior while at the Benedum Center,
you can also help your peers remember the audience expectations, too. Sometimes figuring out
how to address your peers in these situations can be difficult. Just remember--say it with grace!
Discuss the differences between polite and tactful words and behavior and rude and
impertinent words and phrases. Brainstorm polite and rude words with students. For an
extra challenge, brainstorm body postures and gestures associated with polite and rude
behavior.
Model for students the concept using a rule from your classroom (i.e., speaking out of turn). Ask
for a student volunteer to pretend to break the rule. Then, model a rude way of addressing
the problem (i.e., Shut up! You know youre not supposed to be talking right now!) Ask the
student volunteer how it made them feel to be addressed that way. Next, ask students to
generate some more polite and tactful ways of addressing the problem.
Break students into pairs. Give each pair one of the audience expectations to dramatize the
wrong and right way to address behavioral problems.
Assessment
Discussion
Student behavior while at the PBT student matinee, both of themselves and managing
each others behavior

28

House Rules
Every environment that you are in has different rules and expectations
for how you should behave in it. Think about the rules you have
encountered in each of the following environments. As a group, discuss
and record what you think are the 5 most important rules for each
environment.
Rules at your home

Rules in your classroom

Rules at a movie theatre

Rules at a swimming pool

Rules at a funeral

Rules at the ballet

Group members names: ________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

29

Audience Expectations at the Benedum Center

1. Once inside the Benedum Center you will not be permitted to leave and re-enter the building.
2. Be sure to sit in the section assigned to your school. An usher will be happy to help you find
where your school's seats are located.
3. Talking to your neighbor in a normal speaking voice is fine prior to the performance and
during intermissions. Remember, the performance begins with the orchestral Overture and
during the performance; even the softest whisper can be distracting to those nearby. PLEASE
DO NOT TALK DURING THE PERFORMANCE.
4. There may be one or two intermissions during the performance. This allows the dancers time
to rest or make elaborate costume changes, the production staff time to make major set
changes and students time to stretch their legs and use the rest rooms.
5. The taking of pictures is prohibited during a performance, so it is best to leave your cameras
at home.
6. Applause is the best way to communicate with the dancers. It tells them that you are
enjoying the performance. However, excessive applauding and cheering can be equally as
distracting to your fellow audience members. Bottom line: if you see something you really like,
feel free to applaud!
7. Remain with your class. The Benedum Center is very large and it is easy to get lost.
8. Chewing gum, food and drink are not acceptable in the theater.
9. Cell phones should be turned completely off during the performance. No text messaging is
allowed during the performance.
10. Educators and Chaperones: You are expected to remain with your group at all times and
address any behavioral issues as they arise. If you notice behavioral issues with another group
at the theatre, please do not hesitate to contact an usher who will handle the problem as quickly
and efficiently as possible.
Students and educators who choose not to adhere to audience expectations may be asked to
do the following by ushers or PBT staff:
turn off cell phones
move to a single seat away from distractions of nearby audience members
exit the theatre and remain in the lobby during the duration of the performance

30

What to Wear: Fashion Advice for All Occasions

Adapted from an activity created by the Pittsburgh Opera Education Department
Grades: 5-12
Time needed: two 45-minute class periods
Materials needed: Fashion Worksheet, poster board, old magazines and newspapers, paper,
colored pencils, markers
PDE Academic Standards: 1.4, 1.6, 9.1, 9.2, 9.3, 9.4, 11.2
By the end of this activity, students will be able to:
Determine clothing characteristics that are appropriate for different social
situations.
Convey information about what to wear to a student matinee by creating a group
radio PSA using convincing persuasive rhetoric.
Introduction:
On any normal school day, what do you wear? Would you ever wear a ballgown and tiara to
school? Would you ever likely wear a swimsuit to a hockey game? Or bright, cheery colors to a
funeral? Or holey jeans to a corporate job interview? Every social occasion in our lives often has
implied rules for dress. Sometimes, it can be hard to figure out what to wear if youve never
been in those situations before. Determining what is and is not appropriate can make the
difference between self-confidence and total embarrassment.
Part OneEvent Categories
Educators role:
Copy off Fashion worksheet
Divide students into small groups (3-4 students in each)
Facilitate the reflection discussion.
Divide students into small groups. First, have students complete the Fashion worksheet. Then,
have them find appropriate examples from magazines or draw examples each category to
create a picture collage for each category. The photos/drawings they find should best illustrate
the characteristics of each category.
Reflection Discussion
What do all the clothes in each category have in common?
What were the clothing characteristics you thought were most important for each of the
categories?
Part TwoStudent Matinee Fashion PSA
Educators role:
Discuss with students what a PSA is and why they are used.
Show an example PSA from YouTube or the Ad Council
Brainstorm, discuss, and/or model persuasive rhetoric
Divide students into small groups (3-4 students in each)
Sidecoach while the students are scripting and rehearsing their Student Matinee Fashion
PSA
Recording the PSAs, if possible.
Facilitate the reflection discussion.

31

Discuss with students what a PSA (Public Service Announcement) is and ask if they have ever
seen any PSAs on television (common campaigns: Drug prevention, Smokey the Bear, etc.).
The main features of a Public Service Announcement are:
Raising public awareness about a topic
Stimulating the public to action
Short 30-60 second pieces aired on radio or television
If possible, show some sample PSAs from the Ad Council website (www.adcouncil.org) and
discuss the idea of persuasive rhetoric (convincing words and phrases).
In small groups, students are to script and rehearse their own PSA about Student Matinee
Fashion. Parameters of the project are:
Every student must be involved in the writing and performing of the PSA.
The PSA will be for the radio. All students have to focus on is reading and performing
their lines convincingly.
The PSA should last approximately 30 seconds.
Each PSA should have an engaging and catchy tag line.
Groups should be given 20-25 minutes to write and rehearse their PSA. At the end of this time,
share PSAs with each other. If possible, videotape the PSAs for documentation and reflection
purposes.
Sidecoaching
Find a compelling beginning and a strong ending.
Think about you might use pauses and/or sounds to help convey your message.
Make sure everyone is involved!
Think about creating visual imagery for your listeners. What do you want them to see in
their minds while listening to your PSA?
Reflection Questions
What PSA was the most compelling to you and why?
What were some common themes/phrases/ideas between the PSAs?
What was difficult or challenging about creating your PSA? How do you overcome this
challenge?
After seeing the other PSAs, what is one thing you would change about your PSA and
why?
Assessment
Worksheet
Participation during discussion
Recordings of PSAs (if possible)

32

What to Wear Fashion Worksheet

Every social occasion in our lives often has implied rules for dress. Sometimes, it can be hard to
figure out what to wearand what NOT to wearif youve never been in those situations
before. Determining what is and is not appropriate can make the difference between selfconfidence and total embarrassment.
First, brainstorm with your group different events you attend or might attend in the future. Then
decide under what category below each event falls into and write it in the appropriate column.
Under which heading do you think a ballet student matinee would fall? In which category would
opening night for a Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre production be listed?
Casual/Recreational

Informal/Professional

Formal/Special Event

(turn over)

Next, in your groups, create a small photo collage for each category using photos from
magazines, newspapers, online, or hand-drawn. The photos/drawings you find should best
illustrate the characteristics of each category.

33

Where are We Sitting? Reading the Benedum Seating Chart

Adapted from an activity created by the Pittsburgh Opera Education Department
Grades: 5-12
Time needed: one 45-minute class period
Materials needed: Seating Chart worksheet
PDE Academic Standards: 2.1, 2.2, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6
By the end of this activity, students will be able to:
Accurately interpret a seating chart that contains one-to-one data correlation
Compute basic addition, subtraction, and multiplication problems involving the
chart data
Make inferences about what the chart means
Introduction:
When patrons buy tickets to the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, they have a choice of where they
would like to sit. Where they choose to sit determines the price of the tickets. In general, those
seats closest to the stage with the best views cost the most! But many adults have trouble
reading and interpreting charts and graphs like these that they encounter in their daily life. You
will study the information and then see if you can answer the questions correctly.
Reading a Seating Chart
Educators role:
Copy off Seating Chart worksheet
Share solutions with the class.
Facilitate the reflection discussion.
Have students complete the seating chart worksheet, showing their mathematical work on an
extra sheet of paper. Share solutions with the class.
Reflection Discussion
Describe the process you used to make your calculations.
What information are you able to infer from this chart?
In your opinion, what makes this chart easy or difficult to read and understand?
Assessment
Worksheet and examples of work
Participation during discussion
Where are We Sitting? Reading the Benedum Seating Chart Worksheet
When patrons buy tickets to the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, they have a choice of where they
would like to sit. Where they choose to sit determines the price of the tickets. In general, those
seats closest to the stage with the best views cost the most! But many adults have trouble
reading and interpreting charts and graphs like these that they encounter in their daily life. You
will study the information and then see if you can answer the questions correctly.
The following chart is taken from the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatres website (www.pbt.org). The
seating chart is for the Friday Evening 4 Show season subscription option.

34

What is the difference in price between a Zone 1 subscription and a Zone 6

subscription? A Zone 2 subscription and a Zone 5 subscription?
What is the total cost for two subscriptions in Zone 2, three subscriptions in Zone 3, and
one subscription in 5?
Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre has a special Family Package for adult subscribers where
they can add on a child ticket for 3 family shows at a greatly reduced rate. If the two
adults purchased 4 show season subscriptions in Zone 2 and added on two Family
Package subscriptions, also in Zone 2, at $126.95 per Family Package subscription,
what would the total cost be? What percentage off is a Family Package subscription
from the regular adult subscription price?
Why are the tickets in the Main Floor on the sides the least expensive?
If you could afford the price of a subscription, in what section would you want to sit?
Why? How many tickets are included in a subscription?
Bonus
Check out the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre website (www.pbt.org). Investigate other
subscription options. Why are some days more expensive than others?

Can We Afford This Trip?

Adapted from an activity created by the Pittsburgh Opera Education Department

Grades: 3-12
Time needed: one 45-minute class period
Materials needed: Budget Worksheet, computers
PDE Academic Standards: 2.1, 2.2, 2.4, 2.5, 6.5, 7.1, 7.4
By the end of this activity, students should be able to:
Generate a variety of budgets
Make relevant and justifiable decisions regarding what to spend money on
Perform basic mathetmatical computations
35

Introduction:
Going out for a day at the Ballet can add up quickly between tickets, parking fees, food, etc.
Budgeting the Trip
Educators role:
Copy off Budget worksheet
Divide students into small groups (3-4 students in each)
Facilitate the reflection discussion.
Divide students into small groups. Have students complete the Budget worksheet by creating
3 different budgets.
Reflection Discussion
Once the groups have completed the worksheet, have each group share the process of how
they budgeted for the trip, including:
Decisions about what to spend money on
What other decisions they had to make as a group
Where they got their numbers from
Assessment
Worksheet
Participation during discussion

36

Can We Afford This Trip? Budget Worksheet

You
a

You are in charge of creating 3 sample budgets that illustrate the cost for
family of four (2 adults, 2 children under the age of 18) to attend a
performance of the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre at the Benedum Center
for the Performing Arts.

for

Using Microsoft Excel, generate 3 different budgetsone under $300,

between $300 and $500, and one greater than $500. Here are some
expenses to consider:

one

Cost of tickets
Parking fees
Food--reservations, costs, etc.
Donation to Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre
Miscellaneous
Be specific about what production the family will attend, where the family will sit in the theatre,
where they will park, where they will eat, etc. Use the internet to research each of these
expenses, if possible, and cite where you found your numbers.
Sample Budget
Expense

Details

Price
Each

Price X 4

Total

Tickets to The
Nutcracker on
Sunday
matinee
Parking Fee
Food
Donation to
PBT
Miscellaneous

Sitting in Orchestra Center

At Theatre Square Garage

Brunch at Six Penn Kitchen

$7.00
$25.00
$10.00

-$100.00
$40.00

$7.00
$100.00
$40.00

Soft drinks in lobby during

intermission

$4.00

$12.00

$12.00

TOTAL

37

Are We There Yet?

Adapted from an activity created by the Pittsburgh Opera Education Department

Grades: 6-12
Time needed: one 45-minute class period
Materials needed: computers, paper, writing and drawing utensils, printouts of maps of
Pittsburgh
PDE Academic Standards: 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4
By the end of this activity, students should be able to:
Read and decipher various types of maps (topographical, street, etc.)
Apply their knowledge of maps to develop an original map pertaining to the
problem at hand.
Introduction
Patrons of the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, including schools, often drive long distances
and times to attend a performance at the Benedum Center for the Arts. But some drive
for an hour and travel approximately 60 miles, while others may drive for an hour but
only travel 10 miles. Why do you think this is?
Mapping Pittsburgh
Educators role:
Divide students into partners.
Facilitate the reflection discussion.
Divide students into partners. Each group will be responsible for creating their own,
original map of the Pittsburgh region. The map should include geographical features
(rivers, parks, etc.), major roadways and a map legend. Make sure to also include where
the school is on the map! Before beginning on their own map and using computers or
pre-printed maps, have students research different types of maps of Pittsburgh
(topographical, street, etc.) to gather information from.
After creating the map, the next task is for students to draw concentric circles showing
the areas where people have to spend 15 minutes in the vehicles to get downtown, 30
minutes in their vehicles, and finally 60 minutes.
Be sure to consider:
Road construction
Bridges or tunnels along the route
Traffic patterns at different times of day
Finally, have students exchange maps. Using the Mapping Pittsburgh worksheet, have
them record similarities and differences they notice between their map and their
classmates maps.
Reflection Discussion
Once the groups have completed exchanging maps, have each group share the
process of how they created the map, including deciding what features and roads
to include, how they determined the length of commute, etc.
What would happen to the commute times if a bridge were taken out?

38

What other data could we analyze from your map? How could we analyze that
data?
What inferences can you make from using your map?
Assessment
Worksheet, including comments of similarities and differences
Participation during activity and discussion

39

Mapping Pittsburgh Worksheet

Part One: Working with your partner, create your own, original map of the Pittsburgh
region. The map should include geographical features (rivers, parks, etc.), major
roadways, and a map legend. Make sure to also include where the school is on the map!
After creating the map, the next task is for
students to draw concentric circles showing
the areas where people have to spend 15
minutes in the vehicles to get downtown, 30
minutes in their vehicles, and finally 60
minutes.
Be sure to consider:
Road construction
Bridges or tunnels along the route
Traffic patterns at different times of
day
Part Two: Exchange maps with your
classmates and compare them to the map
you created. In the box below, record similarities and differences you see in their maps.
Similarities

Differences

Challenge:
Determine a scale to use for your map (1 inch = 2 miles, for instance) and create your
map to scale.

40

Renovating the Benedum Center for the Performing Arts

Grades: 6-12
Time needed: one-three 45-minute class periods, depending upon which activites are
done
Materials needed: House Rules worksheet, writing utensils, printouts of Benedum
pictures, pdf file Benedum Ground Plan from PBT website
PDE Academic Standards: 2.2, 2.3, 3.4, 4.3, 4.4, 9.2, 11.1
By the end of these activities, students will be able to:
Compute complex mathematical problems using mathematical reasoning
skills
Research various technologies used in performing arts spaces
Synthesize new information to creatively generate design and engineering
solutions to real-life problems.
Introduction:
The Benedum Center for the Performing Arts went under massive renovations in the
1980s to bring the theatre back to its former glory, expand the stage and backstage
areas, and update it to meet the needs and demands of the time. Consider ways to
renovate the building using technology and resources for one of the following problems:
Activity OneLighting Systems
Educators Role:
Secure computer access
Break students into small groups
Facilitate discussions on students findings
First, in small groups, research and create a timeline of the history of stage lighting. How
have the technologies changed over time? Timelines can be written in narrative form,
written in chronological order, or visually represented on a poster.
Most stage lighting systems in modern theatres have a mixture of different lighting
instruments. In small groups, research the following stage lighting instruments (Fresnellensed spotlight, Ellipsoidal Reflector Spotlights, and Followspots) and answer the
following questions:
What kind of lighting is each instrument used for?
Find the specifications:
o intensity (in lumens)
o focus--how is the light focused?
o color--how is the color changed on this light?
Where is the most logical place to position this light--on stage or in the house?
The Benedum Center currently has a stock of 473 lights. At todays current costs,
investigate what the total value of this lighting system is if they have the following
distribution of lights:
3 Followspots
215 Fresnel-lensed spotlights
255 Ellipsoidal Reflector spotlights

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Your job will be look at pictures of the Benedum and determine places to hide stage
lighting. In order to maintain the historic status, the Benedum Center must make modern
technology as non-obtrusive as possible. Determine how you would best hide stage
lighting in the house of the Benedum Center. Please see the pdf file Benedum Ground
Plan on our website to use in facilitating this portion of the exercise.
Activity TwoThe New Proscenium
Educators Role:
Printout image
Break students into small groups
Facilitate discussions
Facilitate a discussion on the parts of a performing arts auditoriumstage (where artists
perform), proscenium (the archway that frames the stage), and the house or
orchestra (seats for patrons).

http://cdn.calisphere.org/affiliates/images/csdhi/kt0290182t/hi-res/5727.jpg
Explain to the students that the original proscenium of the Benedum Center is too large
for modern performing arts companies. At 70 feet wide and 40 feet tall, it is too large for
even the biggest touring Broadway shows or grandest operas.
You job is to design a new proscenium archway that will better accommodate modern
performing arts companies. The new proscenium archway will be built in front of the
original proscenium. It should be sturdy yet removable in order to maintain the buildings
historic status. It should also have the capability to hold extra speakers and sound
equipment. The final dimension of the new proscenium arch should be 57 feet wide and
38 feet tall. Make a scale model (i.e. 1 inch = 1 foot) of the new arch and write a short
description that answers
What materials would you use for
o supports?
o frame?

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What color or decoration do you use on the proscenium, if any?

How is the proscenium removable? What is the amount of storage space (sq.
foot) required to store your design once it is disassembled?
When you visit the Benedum Center, check out their solution for the proscenium. What
materials is it made out of? What features do you notice about it?

Activity Three--Reupholstering the Chairs

Educators Role:
Break students into small groups
Secure computer access
Facilitate discussions
The 2,881 chairs in the Benedum Center were originally upholstered during the
renovation nearly 20 years ago and its time to do it again! But a lot has changed in the
textile industry.
First, research what the textile industry was like here in the United State in the 1980s
and what it is like now. Answer the following questions:
What types of textiles were being created for upholstering furniture? How were
the various fibers grown, processed, produced, and distributed?
What factors are related to the growth or decline of the textile industry in the
United States?
Your job will be to locate and purchase fabric for the reupholstering project, and create
a timeline and budget for the reupholstering project from start to finish. Here is the data
that should be found and/or used:
Locating and Purchasing the Fabric
o

Numbers to Know:
The specific type of fabric needed to reupholster the chairs at the
Benedum is a mixture of 90% natural fibers and 10% synthetic.
Because most current fabric is not this mixture, the fabric must be
custom made and takes approximately 10 weeks for it to be made.
Each chair will need 7 yards of fabric for the cushion and back of
the seat.
There are 2881 chairs in the Benedum Center, but 300 spare
chairs are also prepared during renovations.
o Locate the fabric. What is the cost per yard? How many yards will you
need total? What company are you buying the fabric from?
o Where is the fabric coming from? Dont forget shipping charges!
o What is the estimated time it will take for the fabric to arrive?
Reupholstering the Chairs:
o Each person who reupholsters the chairs is paid $23.17 an hour. The
total labor costs for the project are estimated to be close to $200,000. If
the laborers are working 8 hours a day for 6 days a week for 3 weeks,
how many total laborers is the Benedum expecting to hire?
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Each chair must be hand-upholstered. Based on the information you

calculated in the previous problem (total number of laborers), calculate
the total number of labor hours accrued over the 3 week period. Then,
calculate how long each chair approximately take to reupholster.
o What challenges might arise that would delay a project of this scale?
What remedies to these challenges can you propose?
Getting rid of Waste:
o How much waste fabric will you accumulate?
o Investigate how much it will cost to rent dumpsters to trash the fabric.
How many dumpsters will you need?
o What happens to this industrial waste? Where does it go in Allegheny
County? Investigate options for reusing the old fabric.
Create Timeline and Budget:
o Using the answers to your investigations, create an overall timeline and
budget for the project.
o After students have completed their budgets, share with them the
Benedums projections for the project:
$250,000 in materials
$200,000 in labor
$450,000 total cost
o How might you account for the differences between your budget and the
Benedums budget?

Jobs at PBT
Grades: 5-12
Time needed: one 45-minute class period
Materials needed: Jobs at PBT, Job Profile, and Salaries worksheet
PDE Academic Standards: 1.4, 1.5, 1.8, 2.1, 2.2, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 9.1, 11.1, 13.1, 13.3
By the end of this activity, students will be able to:
Generate appropriate and relevant questions pertaining to their topic
Use the internet to decipher between reliable and unreliable sources and
accurate answers to their questions
Identify various preparatory paths and skill sets needed for different jobs
Perform basic computation and mathematical reasoning skills to solve the
problems at hand
Introduction:
Dancers are not the only employees at Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre! It takes many skilled
professionals to run a ballet company or any arts organization.
What does it take to be a _____________?
Educators role:
Make copies of worksheets
Secure computer access and gather supplies, if needed.
Prepare students with discussion and information about sources and
bibliographies, if necessary.
Facilitate the reflection discussion.

44

As a large group, brainstorm questions you would ask a person about their career or job.
Hand out the Jobs at PBT worksheet and discuss. Assign individuals or partners a job
from the list research.
Using the internet or print resources, have students research and find answers to the
questions generated by the group during the brainstorm. Students should cite their
sources for their answers and create an annotated bibliography of their sources that
reflects upon the reliability and usefulness of each source.
Next, have students complete the Job Profile worksheet using their research.
Reflection Discussion
What surprised you about the job you were given as you were conducting
research?
After conducting your research, what questions do you still have about the job
you were given?
What similarities and differences do you see between various jobs in their
preparation, skills needed, and tasks?
How did you determine what sources to use and their reliability? Which were
most useful to you and why?
Salaries
Educators role:
Make copies of the Salaries worksheet
Secure computer access and gather supplies, if needed.
Share solutions with the class.
Salaries account for a large portion of the annual budget at Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre.
Using the internet, research the average salary for each of the positions listed on the
worksheet. Some useful websites to look at include:
Bureau of Labor Statistics website http://www.bls.gov/bls/blswage.htm
www.salary.com
www.monster.salary.com
Using the worksheet, compute how much the ballet spends on its full-time employees.
*Challenge: Fringe benefits, including health care, retirement plans, life insurance, etc.,
are available to all full-time employees. The current percentage of a persons salary that
fringe benefits account for is 24.2736%. Compute the amount of fringe benefits the
company pays for each employee, and recomputed the total amount for company
salaries to include fringe benefits.
Reflection questions:
Why are fringe benefits important to employees?
How might hiring part-time versus full-time employees help and/or hurt the
employer and the employee? Make a pro and con list for each side if needed.

45

JOBS AT PBT
Artistic Director: The guiding force behind the company. Responsible for the artistic
growth and direction of the organization. Among other things, the artistic director selects
the dancers for the company and determines what the ballet company will perform each
season.
Executive Director: Responsible for the financial and professional success of the
company. Oversees all non-artistic personnel.
Conductor: Auditions and selects musicians for the PBT Orchestra. Conducts the
orchestra for the performances. Arranges music and determines the size of the
orchestra for the piece. Works with dancers and ballet masters on tempo. Controls
tempo and sound of the orchestra while considering the dancers needs.
Ballet Master/Mistress: Advises the Artistic Director on scheduling and casting. Scouts
for new talent and choreography. Works with the dancers on a regular basis: teaching
company class, rehearsing upcoming ballets, as well as constantly coaching and refining
the dancers work.
Company Pianist: A pianist who works with the Company on a daily basis playing
music for Company class and rehearsals.
Production Manager: Responsible for making the production look the way the Artistic
Director perceives it to look. Negotiates with designers and union personnel.
Stage Manager: Assists the production manager and calls the shows. The Stage
Manager gives everyone their cues during the performance, including lighting
technicians, dancers, conductor, and stagehands responsible for props and sets. He
runs the show. He is also responsible for the audio and video requirements for the
company.
Costumier: Makes new costumes for ballets and alters existing costumes to fit other
dancers. PBTs Costumier also designs costumes and creates her own patterns out of
plain brown paper.
Director of Marketing: Responsible for all income goals. Oversees Public Relations,
Subscriptions, Group Sales and Telemarketing.
Director of Education: Responsible for developing education materials about the
productions and for implementing arts education programs within schools and the
community.
Subscription Manager: Handles seating and ticketing for ballet subscribers as well as
all customer service opportunities.
Director of Development: Responsible for soliciting contributions from corporations,
foundations and individuals.
Tour Manager: Responsible for booking PBT on national and international tours.
Handles all logistics of the dancers itinerary.

46

Director of Finance: Accountant for the Ballet. Oversees the budget by tracking
expenses, income and cash flow.
School Director: Manages all aspects of the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School including
training, recruiting and scholarships.
Ballet Faculty: Responsible for teaching dance to children and adults through PBT
School.
Company Dancers: Perform dances for company productions.

47

JOB PROFILE WORKSHEET

(please use complete sentences)
Name of
job:___________________________________________________________________
Main tasks of job:
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Skills needed for job:

______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Likely preparation needed to achieve this job, including school, courses,

experience, etc.:
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Create a career preparation plan for attaining this career. List all steps necessary
to obtain this position.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

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Salaries Worksheet
Job Title
Artistic
Director
Company
Dancer
Conductor

# of staff with title

1

Executive
Director
Development
Associates
Education
Associates
Marketing
Associates
Stage
Manager
PBT School
Principals

Average Salary

30
1

4
1
4
1
2

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Total

Get With the Program

Adapted from an activity created by the Pittsburgh Opera Education Department
Grades: 5-12
Time needed: one 45-minute class period
Materials needed: Program worksheet for grades 5-8 OR grades 9-12
PDE Academic Standards: 1.8, 2.2, 5.1, 5.3, 6.4, 6.5, 9.1, 11.1
By the end of this activity, students will be able to:
Demonstrate estimation skills.
Develop and compute equations involving addition, multiplication, and
percentages.
Investigate and analyze current recycling practices.
Introduction:
Often when you attend a live performing event, including the ballet, theatre, opera, or
symphony, you are given a program that includes information about the production, artist
biographies, staff listings, donor listings, ads, and other important information about the
production. The Marketing Department at Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre creates a new
program for every one of their productions.
Number of Programs
Educators role:
Copy off Program worksheet
Divide students into small groups (3-4 students in each)
Facilitate the reflection discussion.
Divide students into small groups. Have students complete the program worksheet,
showing their mathematical work on an extra sheet of paper and including any research
they find. Share each groups programs with the class. See who got the closet to the
actual number (on average, the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre orders 7,000 programs for
each production.)
Reflection Discussion
Describe the process you used to determine your estimations.
What other items can you think of that might make a difference in the number of
programs needed?
Why are programs important to the overall experience? How could they be reimagined to save on resources (money, paper, etc.)?
Assessment
Worksheet and examples of work
Participation during discussion

50

Get with the Program Worksheet (grades 5-8)

Often when you attend a live performing event, including the ballet, theatre, opera, or
symphony, you are given a program that includes information about the production, artist
biographies, staff listings, donor listings, ads, and other important information about the
production. The Marketing Department at Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre creates a new
program for every one of their productions.
All audience members receive a program when they enter the auditorium, but some
patrons choose to recycle the programs at the end of the performance. So how does the
Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre estimate how many programs to print?
First, estimate the total number of programs you think you would need to order for each
production. Then, calculate how many programs should be printed if only 50%, 75%, and
100% of the tickets are sold. Show all of your work!
Here are some numbers to consider in your equations:
The Benedum Center for the Performing Arts seats 2,889.
The standard run of a production at Pittsburgh Ballet
Theatre has 4 performances.
Challenge Questions:
Ushers recycle programs that are left in the seats or lobby
at the end of the performances. Approximately 20% of the
distributed programs are collected after each performance and
used at future performances. Rework your calculations to include the recycled
programs.
On average, each program has 40 pages of printer paper. Based on the number
of programs ordered for each of the percentages listed above, how many pieces
of paper are included in your order? Then weigh a piece of paper. What would
your order weigh?
The programs are printed in full color on glossy paper. Can extra programs be
sent to a recycling facility after all the performances are complete? What are the
guidelines for recycling paper in your home area?
In what ways can recycled paper be used? What is the process for recycling
paper? Is there a limit to the number of times paper can be reused?
Contact other arts organizations in your area. How do they use their paper
resources? Do they recycle extra programs and paper? Do they recycle trash
from their concession sales such as plastic cups, beverage bottles, etc.?

51

Get with the Program Worksheet (grades 9-12)

Often when you attend a live performing event, including the ballet, theatre, opera, or
symphony, you are given a program that includes information about the production, artist
biographies, staff listings, donor listings, ads, and other important information about the
production. The Marketing Department at Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre creates a new
program for every one of their productions.
All audience members receive a program when they enter the auditorium, but some
patrons choose to recycle the programs at the end of the performance. So how does the
Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre estimate how many programs to print?
First, estimate the total number of programs you think you would need to order for each
production. Then, calculate how many programs should be printed if only 50%, 60%,
70%, 80%, and 90% of the tickets are sold. Show all of your work!
Here are some numbers to consider in your equations:
The Benedum Center for the Performing Arts seats 2, 889.
The standard run of a production at Pittsburgh Ballet
Theatre has 4 performances.
Ushers recycle programs that are left in the seats or lobby
at the end of the performances. Approximately 20% of the
distributed programs are collected after each performance
and used at future performances.
Challenge Questions:
On average, each program has 40 pages of printer paper. Based on the number
of programs ordered for each of the percentages listed above, how many pieces
of paper are included in your order? Then weigh a piece of paper. What would
your order weigh? How much would it cost to ship the order with UPS?
The programs are printed in full color on glossy paper. Can extra programs be
sent to a recycling facility after all the performances are complete? What are the
guidelines for recycling paper in your home area?
In what ways can recycled paper be used? What is the process for recycling
paper? Is there a limit to the number of times paper can be reused?
Contact other arts organizations in your area. How do they use their paper
resources? Do they recycle extra programs and paper? Do they recycle trash
from their concession sales such as plastic cups, beverage bottles, etc.?

52