Looking for a way to bring the magic of Halloween into the ballet classroom? I can’t think of a more haunting ballet to dive into this spooky season than the romantic ballet Giselle.

The eerie ballet tells the tragic story of a beautiful young peasant girl named Giselle who dies from a broken heart after being betrayed by her lover Albrecht. She is summoned from her grave into the vengeful sisterhood of the Wilis, the ghosts of unmarried women who died when betrayed on their wedding day and take their nightly revenge by dancing men to death. Eek! 😱

Whether you’re an educator looking to bring some Halloween excitement into your ballet class or a dancer eager to explore the realm of classical ballets, here are some fun ideas to expand your knowledge of the ballet Giselle!

Explore the art of mime

Even though dancers don’t speak on stage, we still have to be able to tell a story and connect with the audience. To achieve this, dancers use mime - body movements, facial expressions, and gestures.

Check out this video from the Australian Ballet and try your hand at some of the mime used in the ballet Giselle!

Learn Myrtha’s Act II Variation

Myrtha, Queen of the Wilis, commands her band of vengeful maidens with a chilling, unforgiving malice. Characterized by difficult bourrées, penchés and lots of chugs, this variation is not for the faint of heart.

Try your hand at this icy variation, danced here by Ekaterina Kondaurova, Principal Dancer with the Mariinsky Ballet

Practice Giselle’s Iconic Hairstyle

Giselle’s hairstyle – parted in the middle and pulled back tightly over the ears – was an instant hit in Paris when the ballet debuted in 1841.

Check out this tutorial by Kathryn Morgan to learn how to do the hairstyle for yourself! (Still looking for a Halloween costume for ballet class? Grab a white leo & romantic practice tutu, throw up your hair, and voila! Instant Giselle!)

Of course, no lesson in Giselle would be complete without diving into the full story. The Brainy Ballerina Guide to Classical Ballets includes a comprehensive guide to Giselle, complete with history, characters, synopsis, and some fun facts! Plus when you’re done with Giselle, you can spend time learning about four more iconic ballets! Grab your copy today and enjoy celebrating spooky season ballerina style!

If you liked this post, you might also like:

• 11 Podcasts Every Dancer Should Have on Their Playlist

• How to Proactively Prepare for Dance Audition Season

• How to Deal with Casting Disappointment