In classical ballet, a Grand pas, or Grand pas classique (; literally meaning ''big'' or ''large classical step'') is a suite of pure
dance
Dance is an The arts, art form, consisting of sequences of body movements with aesthetic and often Symbol, symbolic value, either improvised or purposefully selected. Dance can be categorized and described by its choreography, by its repertoir ...
numbers that is devoid of dramatic action, serving strictly as the ''pièce de résistance'' in the context of a full-length ballet performance to showcase the talents of the principal dancers, ''
demi-soloists'', and occasionally the ''
corps de ballet
In ballet, the ''corps de ballet'' (; French language, French for "body of the little dance") is the group of ballet dancer, dancers who are not principal dancers or Soloist (ballet), soloists. They are a permanent part of the ballet company and ...
''. The ''Grand pas'' traditionally consists of a combination
of particular dances: an ''Entrée'' (introduction to the suite where the dancers make their entrance); a ''Grand adage'' (''adagio'' of the lead ballerina, partnered by the lead male dancer and occasionally other partners); a dance for the ''corps de ballet'' can be included; ''variations'' (solo dances) for the lead dancers ''
demi-soloists''; and finally the ''Coda'' (or ''Grand coda'') concludes the suite.
Formats
The grand pas appears in a variety of formats and may employ varying numbers of dancers. For example, a ''
grand pas de deux
In ballet, a ( French, literally "step of two") is a dance duet in which two dancers, typically a male and a female, perform ballet steps together. The ''pas de deux'' is characteristic of classical ballet and can be found in many well-known ...
'' is performed by only two dancers; this typically serves as the