How to Be a Good Partner

In more advanced levels of ballet, it is customary to partner with another boy of the same level. On top of your own technique, in partnering, you have to focus on the technique and chemistry between you and your partner. At first, it can be awkward, but once you get to know the feel of your partner and begin to trust them, there comes a point of understanding that allows a partnership to reach a new level.

 

The first step to achieving a good partnership is to have good musicality. Both dancers must be counting the music to perform each step simultaneously and leave the audience in awe. Ideally, both should also reach the height of their extensions and jumps at the same time, but that is not always possible as shown in the picture above. Time and practice with the same partner will help.

Another important aspect is distribution of weight. There is a lot of "push-pull" involved in partnering and knowing the force of your partner is essential. In the picture above, I had to gage how much force to use to throw my body towards the audience, yet still be caught by my partner while making it seem like he had actually caught me. Pulling away from your partner gives a dramatic effect if the dance calls for it, so know your partners strength and judge the force of your push accordingly.

For lifts, it takes just as much strength from the girl as the boy to achieve the lift. It all starts in the grip the boy has on the girl and the plie of the girl. The girl iniciates the lift with the power of her jump and from there the strength of the boy launches the girl higher in the air. For the boy, it is important to remember to squat as he lifts so as not to hurt his back and maintain the same amount of strength putting the girl down as he used for the lift.  As for the girl, core strength is necessary for her to maintain the position she is in and plie upon landing to prevent a knee injury.

Finally, trust your partner! All lifts are potentially dangerous, but with mutual trust, even seemingly impossible lifts can be done. Try to stay with the same partner if you can to allow a relationship to builld and to have a physical connection with your partner. This also helps with the acting aspect of performing dances. When you are friends with the person you dance with, the emotion onstage is genuine and the audience feels like the story is real.
I hope these tips have been helpful! Good luck!