While it's impossible to count how many pointe shoes one dancer goes through in her lifetime, it's safe to say that the preparation and breaking in of the classic ballerina footwear is like its very own art form.
"If you have too soft of a shoe, you don't feel supported, but with something too hard you may feel like you're going to catch an edge," Stahl said.
It's about finding what she calls "the sweet spot."
Dancers break in multiple pairs, and the level of wear of each varies. Timing is key, Stahl emphasized. From hardening the arches of the shoe with Jet Glue to checking that ribbons and elastic are sewn correctly — the last thing you want is for something to come undone — the process is a lengthy one. The final step for Stahl before going on is sticking the heel of her shoes in the rosin box, which makes the it feel more secure.
"I also like to scrape the bottom of my shoe to get it a little more rough so there more traction. Once I finally tighten the ribbons, I tuck in the bow of the shoe and wrap Scotch tape around it so it stays in place."
