Ballet Performances That Require White Classical Tutus

White Classical Tutu Designed By Costume Creations.UK

What Ballets Typically Require White Classical Tutus?

Because ballet tells a story with movement and not with words, every single aspect of non-verbal communication must be maximized .

Stage hands will adjust lighting to set moods and create a certain ambiance in the theater atmosphere. Backdrop designers will set the scene for the ballet depending upon the story.

Costumes will be chosen that fit in with the story line of the ballet. If a ballet has a fiery, Spanish theme, the chances are good that the tutu chosen for that scene will also be a fiery color, like deep red.

Think of the Firebird ballet. It just wouldn’t be the same if the ballerina wore a white tutu to represent a Firebird. Color speaks to our emotions and that is why ballet costume color choice is such an important part of the performance itself.

White classical tutus can be chosen for a performance for several reasons. Ballet performances that use a very darkened theater and want to create a dramatic effect will dress the dancers in very white costumes for contrast. The other reason may be to portray purity or to mimic the true color of an animal, such as a swan.

Agnes Letestu Creates A Dramatic Effect Wearing A White Classical Tutu In A Darkened Theater

As you watch this stunning performance, you should ask yourself if the performance would be as dramatic if Agnes Letestu was wearing a darker ballet costume. It is the white color of her costume that makes this ballet so magical, not to mention her awesome technique! Other ballets that typically choose white costumes for the ballerina are:

• SWAN LAKE: The part of the white swans must, of course, have white classical tutus
• SHADES VARIATION
• LA BAYADERE
• DIAMONDS in the Balanchine Ballet Jewels
• THE DYING SWAN SOLO
• ETUDES: A ballet by Danish Choreographer Harold Lander
• LE GRANDE PAS CLASSIQUE: Russian pas de deux
• NUTCRACKER: Snowflakes
• THE PHAROAHS DAUGHTER
• AURORA: Wedding scene
• RAYMONDA Act 3
• LITTLE  HUMPBACKED HORSE: The Tsar Maiden

This list of ballets didn’t take much researching. I simply asked Monica of Costume Creations. Not only does she make performance ready costumes; she knows what performances the costumes are ready for. Amazing!

Ballet Recitals And The Young Dancer

When I was ten years old, I was a ballet student in a small community ballet studio. For a large part of the year, a section of classroom time was devoted to learning the part that I was to play in the yearly recital. I was going to be a spring flower.

The students were able to purchase small 45 records at the studio to take home and play on our record players.  This was circa 1970 and records were very popular. I practiced my spring flower routine over and over again and looked forward to getting my spring flower costume.

The costumes were chosen by the teacher who looked at the students and decided if the student was small, medium, or large. No measurements were ever taken!

When I received my lime green spring flower costume I was thrilled! That was, until I tried it on. The bodice section of the costume was made with row after row of elastic ruching. Sequins covered the entire surface of the bodice. The bodice length was too short for my long torso, so as I tried to pull the bodice further up on my chest, sequins began popping off and raining down onto the floor.  The tutu skirt was pitifully thin and droopy with only a few layers of very poor quality tulle.

The recital went on as planned, and I danced the role of a very wilted and sad-looking spring flower. My costume disintegrated not long after that. I was too young to know anything about custom-made tutus back then, but what a difference a costume made just for my body measurements would have made!

Going on stage to give a ballet performance can be very nerve-racking. Having a professionally designed costume that fits perfectly and looks beautiful lets the dancer focus completely on the one thing that matters most; her dancing.