American Masters

The Language of Ballet: French and Fit for a King

The language of the ballet is in French; it all began in France with King Louis XIV in the 17th century. Wherever ballet is studied, the names of the steps are in French: tendu, grande battement, pirouette, tour en l’air, etc. Discover how ballet began and how it represented class and social position in aristocratic courts.

The Language of Ballet: French and Fit for a King

2m 41s

  • Maryam Taghavi: Estranged Letters: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Maryam Taghavi: Estranged Letters

    15m 4s

    This short documentary traces the Iranian-American artist Maryam Taghavi's journey toward her first major solo exhibition — a body of work where abstraction, perspective, and Islamic culture converge.

  • Phoebe Robinson Shows Her Work: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Phoebe Robinson Shows Her Work

    31m 45s

    In this episode, Phoebe Robinson talks about her comedy special, "I Don't Wanna Work Anymore." She gives us a candid look into the full arc of her creative process, from spreadsheets to the comedy club. We talk about the convergence of art and commerce, the shortcomings of today’s comedy climate, and how to resist making “fast-food” comedy in pursuit of something greater.

  • Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore

    S39 E7 - 1h 36m

    Learn about the life and career of 4-time Emmy nominee Marlee Matlin as she shares her story in her native American Sign Language. Known for roles in The West Wing and CODA, at 21 years old, Matlin became the first Deaf actor to win an Oscar.

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