Ballet Theatre Company will hold back-to-dance pointe shoe fittings and Corps de Ballet auditions.

BTC dancer Ela W. discussing toe pads with a Beam and Barre pointe shoe fitting professional. Courtesy photo

Submitted

Ballet Theatre Company (BTC) of West Hartford will hold its third annual in-house pointe shoe fitting with Beam and Barre of Greenwich, CT. The fitting will take place at BTC’s studio location on Sunday, Aug. 16, 2020, just in time for its Corps de Ballet prep intensive and audition all taking place the following week. 

As students browse store aisles for back to school gear, BTC students prepare for the fall by browsing through numerous pairs of pointe shoes in order to find the perfect fit. Unlike backpacks, pointe shoes do not come with a one-size-fits-all or easily adjustable options. That is why BTC has made it a priority to host an annual pointe shoe fitting event for area dance students who are either starting to train en pointe for the first time this fall, or who need to be reassessed by pointe shoe fitting experts to find a better fit.

BTC Students trying on their first pairs of pointe shoes with assistance from Beam and Barre professionals. Courtesy photo

Beginning to train en pointe is a very important and special step in a dancer’s career. It is a coming-of-age mark in the ballet world transitioning young dancers from a recreational level to a more serious level of training. There are many alignment and strength requirements that must be met before even getting to try on the satin slippers. Once approved, the process of finding the correct shoe may take some time, years even. Typically, the brand and style of shoe that a dancer is fitted into at first, is not their beloved glass slipper.

A dancer’s relationship with their pointe shoes is a special one. As BTC’s Artistic Director Stephanie Dattellas puts it, “… Your pointe shoes can either be your best friend or your worst enemy.”

It is important for pointe students, especially those just starting to work in this difficult level of training, to find the right fitting shoe so that they can train correctly and safely. There are many aspects that go into finding the right fit. First, the dancer’s foot is evaluated by bone structure, height of their natural arch, toe length, and overall foot and ankle strength. Then the process begins of trying on different brands and styles of pointe shoes that would best support their natural features and the best shank strength to support the current strength of their feet and ankles.

Naturally, as dancers train harder and longer and as they grow into mature young adults, their foot also changes in size and strength. It is important that dancer’s pointe shoes grow and change with them to ensure safety and proper training.

Datellas chose Beam and Barre for this special partnership because of their vast selection and expertise. She says, “What drew me to Beam and Barre, although an hour away from WeHa, is their variety. The larger the variety, the larger the selection for our dancers to find that perfect pair.”

BTC’s pointe shoe fitting will take place on Sunday, Aug. 16, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Interested dancers must pre-register online, agree to follow all studio health and safety protocols, and select a 30-minute appointment time for their fitting. There is a $10 registration fee that must be paid in order to participate.

This back-to-dance pointe shoe fitting comes just before the start of BTC’s Corps de Ballet prep intensive. This new intensive is for all dancers who have at least two years of pointe experience and who are interested in auditioning for BTC’s 2020-2021 prestigious Corps de Ballet and Apprenticeship program.

BTC’s Corps de Ballet is designed to provide serious dancers the opportunity to train at a high caliber, experience professional dance at a young age, and, if interested, prepare for a future in dance. Members of the Corps de Ballet learn the importance of discipline and goal setting, leadership skills, working well with others, and professionalism in and out of the performing arts world.

Corps de Ballet dancers rehearse repertoire, are given several performance opportunities each season, and are exposed to studio choreographic processes not only with BTC’s Artistic Staff, but with guest artists throughout the year. Members may also be considered for the opportunity to dance alongside professional dancers in large stage productions.

The Corps de Ballet prep intensive will be held from Aug. 17-20 and will include a combination of virtual and in-studio classes and rehearsals. Morning ballet and pointe conditioning classes will be held virtually from 9:30-11:30 a.m. followed by evening in-studio class and rehearsals from 5:30-8:30 p.m. The week will conclude with the Corps de Ballet audition on Friday, Aug. 21 at the BTC studio. Only those who have participated in the week-long Corps de Ballet prep intensive will be eligible to audition. Unfortunately, due to the nature of the intensive, there will be no virtual-only option for participating in this intensive or audition opportunity.  

BTC’s top priority is to ensure the health and safety of its students, faculty, and administrators. The company has and continues to work diligently to prepare and enforce appropriate health and safety protocols for all students who train in-studio. Students who wish to participate will be required to complete a medical questionnaire, a participation waiver, and strictly adhere to BTC’s in-studio protocols. To ensure the dancers’ safety in their at-home training, all registered participants will be provided with a 4-by-4-foot portable sprung marley floor piece. This special flooring will aid dancers in their at-home training providing their bodies with the support it needs in order to train effectively and avoid injury. Learn about these portable dance floors and more ways that BTC is adapting to the times on our website.

BTC is supported in part by the Greater Hartford Arts Council, the State of Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development Office of the Arts, Cricket Press, and Hearst Connecticut Media Group.

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