"If you stumble, make it part of the dance." -Unknown
Introduction
Pas de chat, or "step of the cat," is a common step used mainly in petit and medium allegro. It was inspired by the ease and grace that cats have even when they fall, and so the step has a bit of an "edge" to it. Pas de chat can also be done both very slowly and very quickly, making it a versatile step that is useful for many styles of choreography. Here's what you need to know:
- Find your passé
- Pass through coupé
- Start and finish in fifth position
- Show both legs moving separately
The Start and Finish
As I always say, what distinguishes good dancers from great dancers is the quality of their transitions. In pas de chat (and most jumps) this can be easily spotted at the start and finish of each step. For pas de chat, you must always start and end in fifth position. Again, as always, you must remember to really use your plié. This will help you to get off the floor to initiate the jump, will help you land quietly as you come down from it, and it will protect your knees and other joints.
Doing the Pas de Chat
Start your pas de chat by picking up your back leg and passing through coupé. Make sure that you keep your turn out and find that nice diamond shape here. Really push off of the floor with your coupé leg and move into passé, letting your second leg catch up. At the top of the jump, both legs should be in passé, with your (pointed) toes right next to each other and beautifully turned out knees (see pictures below). As you lower, extend your initial leg and land, rolling through your foot. Your second leg should follow, but it should stay i passé for as long as possible. As the second legs closes, let it pass through coupé before it reaches fifth position. Note that pas de chat normally does not change (i.e. if you start with your right leg back, your right leg will be back when you finish).
Port de Bras and Epaulment
There are many options for your port de bras in pas de chat. The two standard options are third position (Cecchetti), so that the same arm as your back leg is rounded in first, and your other arm is in second position. The second option is the same, but the rounded arm is in fifth en haut (Cecchetti fourth). As you do your pas de chat, lean slightly into your rounded arm and, if the rounded arm is in first, and look beyond your arm. Your head will be tilted only slightly down here, but keep your eyes up and your chest open. If you rounded arm is in fifth en haut, tilt your head slightly up, looking past your elbow.