Separé

Separé is a term used in ballet to describe a movement or position in which the feet, previously held in a closed position, are separated by a small distance while the dancer maintains turnout and proper alignment. The term is French for “separated” and is part of the standard vocabulary of classical ballet.

In technique, separé is usually executed from a closed position such as fifth position. The dancer shifts weight onto one leg and slides the other foot away to one of several positions, often to the front, behind, or to the side, while keeping the legs turned out and the torso upright. The movement is typically light and controlled, with emphasis on clean transfer of weight and precise foot placement. The distance between the feet is shorter than in more expansive open positions, and the distance can vary with tempo, style, and the dancer’s training.

Variants of separé describe the direction of the extended foot relative to the body. Common forms include separé devant (in front), separé derrière (behind), and separé à la seconde (to the side, toward the second position). Separé is frequently used as a transitional step within sequences, as a prep for leaps, or as part of balance work and patterning in grand allegro and petit allegro phrases.

See also: ballet terminology, écarté, turnout, fifth position.