The History and Construction of the Ballet Tutu
Location
CSU Ballroom
Start Date
11-4-2017 2:00 PM
End Date
11-4-2017 3:30 PM
Student's Major
Theatre and Dance
Student's College
Arts and Humanities
Mentor's Name
Julie Kerr-Berry
Mentor's Department
Theatre and Dance
Mentor's College
Arts and Humanities
Description
Ballet is over 400 years old. It is performed all over the world on many different stages and to many different audiences. One of the most iconic things about ballet is the tutu. Tutu's have an interesting history unlike what one might expect. In order to have a deeper and well rounded appreciation for the common ballet costume audiences see in ballets everywhere, one must go back to the 16th and 17th century in France to look at the tutu's beginnings. The construction of a tutu is a lot more complex than one might think. Around 120 hours of work with over 25 meters of fabric is needed to make a single tutu (Constructing a classical ballet tutu). Many companies around the world need many different tutus for a cast of dancers, for a single ballet. When multiplied by the amount of different ballets companies may perform in a single year, one can appreciate the time and skill required. The sheer number of costumes needed, combined with the amount of work that goes into every costume is something to marvel at from both a historical and a design perspective.
The History and Construction of the Ballet Tutu
CSU Ballroom
Ballet is over 400 years old. It is performed all over the world on many different stages and to many different audiences. One of the most iconic things about ballet is the tutu. Tutu's have an interesting history unlike what one might expect. In order to have a deeper and well rounded appreciation for the common ballet costume audiences see in ballets everywhere, one must go back to the 16th and 17th century in France to look at the tutu's beginnings. The construction of a tutu is a lot more complex than one might think. Around 120 hours of work with over 25 meters of fabric is needed to make a single tutu (Constructing a classical ballet tutu). Many companies around the world need many different tutus for a cast of dancers, for a single ballet. When multiplied by the amount of different ballets companies may perform in a single year, one can appreciate the time and skill required. The sheer number of costumes needed, combined with the amount of work that goes into every costume is something to marvel at from both a historical and a design perspective.
Recommended Citation
Armstrong, Julia. "The History and Construction of the Ballet Tutu." Undergraduate Research Symposium, Mankato, MN, April 11, 2017.
https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/urs/2017/poster-session-B/43
