Première Pointe is ARTIS’s weekly introduction to pointe work for adults: 45 minutes on Saturday afternoon, at most eight dancers, taught by professionally trained ballerinas who have danced on pointe on the stages of the Mariinsky and the Bayerisches Staatsballett. No previous pointe experience is required — but a foundation of classical technique is, students typically come from our intermediate group or after a year of beginners’ classes.
The class length is chosen on purpose. Forty-five minutes is enough to strengthen the feet, find the alignment and take the first controlled rises without the fatigue that causes injuries. Health, safety and sustainable progress come before the photograph on pointe — although that comes too.
What the class contains
- Foot and ankle strengthening on the floor and at the barre — relevés, rises through demi-pointe, articulation of the foot.
- Correct alignment on pointe: weight over the box, knees straight, hips and back placed, no sickling.
- The first controlled rises with two hands on the barre, then with one, then the first steps: échappés, pas de bourrée, sous-sus.
- Care of the feet and of the shoes: fitting, ribbons, padding, when to replace a pair.
Am I ready for pointe?
Pointe work needs strength before it needs shoes: a stable relevé on demi-pointe for at least 30 seconds on one leg, straight knees, a placed pelvis and a year or more of regular ballet. Adults are usually ready sooner than they think and later than they hope; the teacher assesses every new student in the first class and tells you honestly. If you are not ready yet, we will tell you what to build in Ballet Set or Floor Barre — and how long it typically takes.
Pointe shoes
Do not buy shoes before the first class. We recommend a fitting in a specialist shop in Vienna and tell you which models suit your feet; until then you take the strengthening part of the class in soft shoes.