Ballet originated in Italy in the 15th century. Catherine de Medici exported the art form to France where it developed into a highly popular form of entertainment for the royal court. Ballet was an integral part of a huge entertainment spectacle that included lavish costumes, music, singing, props, moving scenery, and pyrotechnical special effects. Louis XIV, the Sun King, established the five primary ballet positions of the feet and arms. Ballet was not performed on an actual stage until 1669, when it was presented as part of an opera.

A male dancer is strictly called a dancer or danseur.

It takes roughly eight to ten years of training to become a professional ballet dancer. Training ideally begins when a student is between the ages of 7 and 10. Beginners attend technique class once or twice a week. By the time a student is 15 years of age, they will be taking 10-15 classes per week. The hope of a career with one of the world’s top ballet companies is limited to very few people. These dancers are comparable to the finest Olympic athletes.

Pointe shoes are worn by female dancers so that they can balance and turn on their toes. Made of satin and shaped like narrow slippers, they have no heel and there is no wood or metal in pointe shoes. The area covering the toes is made of layers of fabric glued together in the shape of an oblong “box” and hardened. The sole of the shoe is hard leather which lends slight support to the arch of the foot. Pointe shoes are worn two to three sizes smaller than street shoes. To keep them on tightly, dancers sew satin ribbons and elastic bands to the sides and tie them securely around their ankles. Each pair of point shoes are hand-made specifically for each dancer, and a pair of shoes cost between $65 and $80.

Help keep our dancers on their toes

Dancing is their “day” job.

Dancers’ lives are full of daily ballet technique classes and rehearsals. A typical workday starts with an hour-long class, followed by four to six hours of rehearsal, often concluding with a two-hour evening performance.