Technique for Pointe Work – Including for Men in Ballet

There are several famous male ballet dancers who have practiced classical ballet in pointe shoes. Some required it in their roles – for example, for the donkey Bottom in a Midsummers Night’s Dream. Some choreographers have put on pointe shoes in order to empathize with their ballerinas. And many men in ballet want to take advantage of the opportunity to stretch their ankles and build strength. I know many dance teachers would love to see some boys/men in ballet take pointe classes. Men in ballet actually can get exactly the right fit in pointe shoes, or let’s say most can. Why would men want to put on pointe shoes and do those cruel-looking exercises? Some men in ballet might have the ambition of getting into Les Trocs (Les Ballets Trockaderos du Monte Carlo, all men, many ballerina roles). Pointe work is an absolute necessity. The majority of men in ballet do not have the mobile ankles that typically females have. A high curve, or ANY curve on the top of the ankle and instep is a plus, to meet the ballet fashion. Getting back to men in ballet – you will need to learn all about foot and toe types, and all the tips and tricks of toe leveling, toe spacers, and toe padding. No suffering needlessly. You are surrounded by experts – all the girls you study with! I think many boys and men in ballet need to hear it from their teachers – that this would be a good idea! Not for the lucky men with the hyper-mobile arches, necessarily. Even for them, however, it would introduce an understanding of what ballerinas need, to check out the delicate balance that men learn to support, as a partner. If you are among the men in ballet and already learning technique for pointe work – good for you! Dianne M. Buxton trained at The National Ballet School of Canada, The Martha Graham School of Contemporary Dance and Toronto Dance Theater. details about classical ballet technique.