Christine Shevchenko on Pointe Shoes

Check out my latest YouTube video on pointe shoes. This video series provides an overview of pointe shoes from the perspective of an elite professional dancer. This video provides commentary from American Ballet Theatre’s Christine Shevchenko on topics ranging from brands, sizing, usage, preparation, and pain management. These specialized shoes were originally designed to allow dancers to appear weightless, with an ethereal quality in Romantic era supernatural, otherworldly roles as Sylphs, Willys, nimfs, and Fairies that permeate Giselle, Swan Lake, and La sil-feed. Since Marie Taglioni popularized dancing on pointe shoes in the 1830s, the shoes have evolved to allow dancers to perform steps on the tips of their toes for extended periods. Technique and shoes advanced, allowing dancers to do much more than portray mythical creatures in a forest, expanding opportunities for innovations and athleticism in choreography. 

Pointe shoes are a vital tool of the trade for a dancer. Choosing the right pointe shoe is crucial for a ballerina, as it can significantly impact performance and overall foot health. Pointe shoes are not one-size-fits-all, and dancers search for the specific brand, style, and size of shoe that suits their foot shape and strength. Moreover, professional dancers go through a process of “breaking in” their shoes, softening and molding them to their feet through special treatments to adjust the fit and comfort. Shoe search and preparation is an all-encompassing, time-consuming process. I do not know of another art form, sport, or activity in which the participant spends as much time and effort on their equipment in pursuit of the perfect instrument.  

This video series provides an overview of pointe shoes from the perspective of an elite professional dancer. This video provides commentary from American Ballet Theatre’s Christine Shevchenko on topics ranging from brands, sizing, usage, preparation, and pain management. Christine trained at the Rock School in Philadelphia. After distinguishing herself in numerous ballet competitions, she joined the ABT studio company in 2006, joined the company as a Corps member in 2008, promoted to Soloist in 2014, and Principal Dancer in 2017, excelling in lead roles in ABT’s full-length repertory. Check it out.