Classical variation guide
Kitri Entrance Variation
Also known as Kitri’s Entrance · Kitri Act I Entrance
Don Quixote · Act I
Female
Advanced
Marius Petipa / Alexander Gorsky
Ludwig Minkus
About this variation
Kitri’s theatrical first entrance establishes her immediately: proud, playful, and completely in command of the square. The variation combines crisp classical footwork, directional changes, fan work, and bold character phrasing without losing clean placement.
Performance quality
Fiery, flirtatious, proud, and magnetic
Training focus
Learn the footwork and directional changes without the fan, then layer in the prop, head positions, and eye focus. Rehearse the transitions between poses so Kitri’s confidence remains continuous rather than appearing only on musical accents.
Key elements
Fan work · Character acting · Quick footwork · Piqué turns · Balances