Rehearsal tutus don’t just look pretty!
Everybody loves a tutu! It is the epitome of ballet costuming. But in reality a professional performance Tutu can be very difficult to dance in. It is a learned skill which is the reason a good rehearsal tutu is an absolute necessity. In my years of experience in the professional ballet world I have seen many dancers rehearsing in tutus which are soft and floppy. “A Dead Tutu” is what this condition is commonly referred as. This does not allow the ballerina or her male partner the opportunity to truly “rehearse” and learn how to accommodate a performance tutu.
Imagine a dancer getting out on stage after rehearsing a role and suddenly neither she, nor her partner who needs to hold her perfectly on balance, can see her legs or feet. Her partner unexpectedly needs to stand at least 45cm away from her when partnering, as that is how wide her performance tutu is. For these and many other reasons the rehearsal tutu must give the dancers, both the female and her male partner, the same experience as a performance tutu. They need to learn to accommodate the tutu within the required choreography.
Julie Diana, Principal dancer with the Pennsylvania Ballet writes of just some of the problems faced when wearing a tutu; “I put on a tutu and I can’t see my lower half. The tutu is getting in the way of my port de bras. Because my partner can’t see my feet, he can’t keep me on my balance, and the skirt keeps getting in his way. Our pirouettes are off!” (Diana, 2010). While Edward Watson, Royal Ballet Principal explains in the Guardian, “Tutus can also be difficult to navigate for men. They need to master a special technique to hold their partner at arm's length.” (Mackrell, 2009)
These statements from top ranking ballet dancers confirm that the use of quality rehearsal tutus that are kept in optimum condition is a necessity for any ballet dancer rehearsing at the professional or pre-professional level. Although the evidence is clear that this is a very important part of ballet rehearsals I still see those “dead” tutus. (Which I have to admit can still look very pretty – but do nothing to prepare the dancers for their performance)
A professional rehearsal Tutu carries a significant purchase price as it has been made using time consuming, traditional techniques – unlike most store bought, pull on bases. Tutu Couture & Stagewear’s professional rehearsal tutu’s are made to last. The basque is a double quilted piece of strong stretch mesh which is adjustable at the centre back for a firm fit – so important for partnering. Leg elastics can easily be replaced or tightened as necessary. The tutu’s densely gathered net rows are hooped and hand tacked to give a similar feel to the dancer’s performance tutus. We also like to make all our tutus unique and gorgeous with custom dye jobs, hand pleating or scallop cut net. (But these last steps are just because we LOVE making beautiful tutus!) xx Anne Tytherleigh
Image courtesy of Sophie Zoricic
Dancers: Mia Heathcote, Laura Tosar, Sophie Zoricic, Lina Kim
Tutu Bases created by Tutu Couture and Stagewear
Costume Design by Gary Harris
for 2018 QB Production of Greg Hosman's La Bayadère
Diana, J. (2010) How to Dance in a Tutu.. Retrieved from Dancespirit Magazine: http://www.dancespirit.com/how-to/ballet/how_to_dance_in_a_tutu/
Mackrell, J. (2009) It’s like wearing a big plate. Retrieved from The Guardian: http://www.theguardian.com/stage/2009/jan/08/tutu-dance-stage