Arts & Culture
Evolution of Ballet: From Court to Stage Performance
Quick fact
King Louis XIV of France, an accomplished dancer, performed in his first ballet at age 13 and later founded the Académie Royale de Danse in 1661, the first professional ballet school.
Why this is interesting
Imagine a dance so exclusive that only kings and queens could perform it. How did ballet go from a royal hobby to a demanding profession performed on public stages?