Why Are There So Many People on Stage in Ballet Videos?

Have you ever noticed the large number of dancers on stage in the background during a ballet performance or video, even when only one soloist is performing the main dance? This is a deliberate artistic choice that serves multiple purposes, enhancing the visual and thematic aspects of the performance.

Creating Atmosphere

Ballet performances and videos featuring a large number of background dancers contribute to the establishment of mood and setting. These dancers move in unison or create intricate patterns, adding depth and emotion to the overall performance. Their movements can enhance the emotional context, making the experience more engaging for the audience. For instance, a group of dancers performing a court scene can immediately transport viewers to an elegant ball or a noble court, providing the necessary atmosphere for the performance's narrative.

Supporting the Soloist

The presence of background dancers is often crucial in highlighting the technical skills and expressiveness of the soloist. They can draw attention to the main performer's movements and emphasize their artistic merits. In a crowded stage setting, the focus naturally gravitates towards the lead dancer, making their performance stand out more.

Visual Composition

Choreographers meticulously design performances with a goal of creating visually striking compositions. Background dancers occupy the stage space, contributing to the overall aesthetic. Their precise movements and formations can create intricate patterns or dynamic transitions, enriching the visual experience. For example, in The Nutcracker, the Corps de Ballet is used to create the snow scene, filling the stage with a flurry of dancing flakes, which is both visually stunning and integral to the performance.

Narrative Elements

In many ballets, the story involves multiple characters. Background dancers often represent other characters, providing context and depth to the narrative. This not only enriches the storytelling but also ensures that the entire ensemble, from the lead to the corps de ballet, plays a vital role. In Giselle, the often represents the envious Wilis, adding layers to the story and heightening the emotional impact.

Technical Complexity

Ballet often involves intricate choreography requiring a large cast. Background dancers perform complex formations and transitions, enriching the overall performance. This showcases the technical prowess of all the dancers involved, making the entire performance more impressive. An excellent example is the Act I finale of Boléro, where the corps de ballet performs a series of quick, synchronized movements, creating a mesmerizing visual spectacle.

Often, you might only see a short part of a performance where a soloist is performing, while the corps de ballet is positioned around the stage. Sometimes, the second act of a full-evening ballet might depict a court or a party scene, where the background dancers are court members or socialites. These dancers are likely to have danced extensively in other scenes and bring a wealth of experience and energy to the performance.

Hidden beneath the spotlight of the soloists, the corps de ballet is often a much underappreciated part of a ballet. Their work is demanding, requiring dancers to move together in precise spacing, hold poses for long periods, and move simultaneously in rapid transitions. One of the most beautiful classical ballet group dances is the Act I finale of La Bayadere. When performed exquisitely well, audiences often sigh and burst into cheers and applause, recognizing the beauty and complexity of the group dance.

Feel free to watch the first 8 minutes of this video, although a live performance cannot be fully captured on a screen. The experience of being in the theater and witnessing a live performance is unparalleled, but even a video can provide a glimpse of the magic that happens on stage.