Question: What Is a Pas de Deux?
Answer: The term pas de deux, literally, means "step of two." A pas de deux is a duet in which ballet steps are performed together, portraying an expression of feelings and thoughts between two dancers. (A pas de deux is generally danced by a male and a female, but there are exceptions: Gregory Hines and Mikhail Baryshnikov danced a beautiful pas de deux in the film "White Nights.")
The pas de deux is characteristic of classical ballet. Famous pas de deux occur in Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake, and Giselle.
In a pas de deux, the couple must strive to move in complete unison, each flowing effortlessly to the music. The ballerina must have good technique, and the danseur must support her on her turns and lifts.
A pas de deux usually consists of an entrée (introduction), adagio (steps performed together), two variations (a solo for each dancer), and a coda (finale). In classical ballet, there are also pas de trois, pas de quatre, and pas de six, for three, four, and six dancers respectively.
