A to Z of (Scottish) Ballet
A is for Associates
Scottish Ballet Associates provide classically based training for students from Primary 5 to Fifth year. We welcome applications from all backgrounds. Auditions take place in May each year.
B is for Bedside Ballet
Part of our free wellbeing resources, Bedside Ballet features video and audio guides designed for those with reduced mobility.
C is for Classes
We offer a range of ballet classes from Absolute Beginners to Intermediate alongside classes for over 60s and those with specific health conditions including Parkinsons and MS.
D is for Divertissement
A Divertissement, often referred to as a divert, is a classical ballet style meaning ‘enjoyable distraction’, a common feature in many ballets, including The Nutcracker.
E is for Elevate®
The first of its kind in the UK, our dance programme Elevate® aims to support the physical, mental and social wellbeing of people living with Multiple Sclerosis.
F is for Films
Pioneers in the field, we have produced a wide range of films from full length to shorts which are available to download or buy. Our most recent award-nominated shorts were choreographed by our dancers.
G is for Glasgow
We are proud to be based in the Southside of Glasgow. Our home at the Tramway is where the magic happens before we set off on tour across Scotland and the world.
H is for Healing Arts Scotland
In 2024 we co-produced the first nationwide Healing Arts festival bringing health and arts practitioners together across a series of events to celebrate and promote the positive impact of arts on health.
I is for Inclusion
Inclusion is one of our core values, alongside Innovation and Excellence. We aim to provide a welcoming and inclusive environment in all areas of our practice including our work in our home base, the community and in theatres across the country.
J is for Jeté
A jeté is a ballet term for a leap in which the weight of the dancer is transferred from one foot to the other, as demonstrated here by Bruno Micchiardi in Swan Lake.
K is for Kiss
For our 2022 production of A Scandal at Mayerling we worked with renowned fight and intimacy coordinators RC Annie. Through company wide workshops and one-on-one sessions, our dancers were supported to perform scenes featuring intimacy and violence, enabling them to set boundaries and seek consent. We were one of the first UK dance companies (and one of only a handful in the world) to take this approach.
L is for Love (Letter to Ballet)
Starstruck is Gene Kelly’s love letter to ballet, showcasing his passion for dance, which we revived in conjunction with Gene’s widow Patricia Ward in 2021 and will tour a new extended version in 2026.
M is for Material
We make all of our costumes for our productions and as a result have a wealth of material in our stock room. Recently we worked with Rags to Riches to convert the dead stock into beautiful tote bags. Stay tuned for more sustainable offerings in our online shop.
N is for Next Generation
Our Next Generation Campaign runs from 2023 to 2028, supporting artists from a variety of backgrounds to produce at least ten innovative new works including dance films, short works, musical scores, one act ballets, or set & costume designs.
O is for Orchestra
Based in Glasgow, the Scottish Ballet Orchestra is a part-time, freelance orchestra of up to 70 musicians working for about 18 weeks of the year, usually broken up into three touring seasons.
P is for Pointe Shoes
Pointe shoes enable dancers to dance on their tiptoes and give illusion of weightlessness. Scottish Ballet dancers go through at least 60 pairs of pointe shoes a year and often have six or seven pairs of shoes on rotation. You can find out more about the preparation that goes into them on our social media channels or YouTube.
Q is for Queen
Queens (& other royal figures) feature in many of our repertoire including Mary, Queen of Scots, The Snow Queen and Swan Lake (Queen of Swans & Princess Odette), Cinders, and The Nutcracker (Nutcracker Prince).
R is for Research
In conjunction with academic institutions and industry leaders we carry out a range of research focusing on dance health, social impact and performance medicine.
S is for Sustainability
We take a sustainable approach to all that we do and are constantly working to improve our impact on the planet. We also ask our audiences to consider their carbon footprint when visiting the venues by using our sustainable travel guide.
T is for Tutu
Tutus are synonymous with classical ballet and here at Scottish Ballet our dancers are forever donning them. Notable tutu wearing characters include the Sugar Plum Fairy and the Snow Queen.
U is for Understudy
Understudies are common features of most performing arts, however here at Scottish Ballet we have multiple casts learning multiple parts. Should a dancer’s role need covered we are then able to call on a fellow company member to fill the position. That’s why our cast lists often change from performance to performance.
V is for Volunteering
As a charity, we rely on volunteers for a number of our events, including our Dance Health classes which support those with Dementia, MS and Parkinsons. Our volunteers provide practical and social support to ensure our participants feel safe and welcome.
W is for Warm Up
At the start of each day our dancers will spend some time warming up at Company Class to keep their bodies at peak fitness. Class begins at the barre with strengthening and stretching. The dancers then move into the centre of the studio (or stage) where they practice combinations of steps, jumps, and turns, all performed to live piano. You can see this for yourself at one of our Friends events.
X is for X ray
X rays are unfortunate necessity in the life of a ballerina but fortunately our Performance Medicine team are on hand to deal with any injuries and to aid recovery.
Y is for Youth Exchange
Youth Exchange is our one-year dance programme for young dancers aged 14-24. Participants get the chance to work as a company and work with guest choreographers and meet with dancers internationally.
Z is for Zzzzzzz
We all need a decent nights sleep but no more so than a touring dancer, which can be tricky when on the road. Thankfully our Performance Medicine team are at hand to provide dancers (& SB staff) with top sleeping tips which were generated during a recent research study.
