ballet essentials
Weather the ballerina is rehearsing or performing there are things that she must have to make her performance the best that it can be. There are many variations and brands of each ballet essential. Each dancer has his/her own preference. These preferences may change over time.
SHOES
There are dances where the dancer will not wear any shoes. In ballet however, both the female and male dancers must wear shoes. A female ballet dancer will usually wear Pointe shoes during a performance. In class, however, she will wear either flat shoes or Pointe shoes. Males only wear flat shoes, although there have been cases where the male will wear pointe shoes in class for strengthening practice.
Click here to learn more about Pointe Shoes.
Click here to learn more about Ballet Slippers.
There are dances where the dancer will not wear any shoes. In ballet however, both the female and male dancers must wear shoes. A female ballet dancer will usually wear Pointe shoes during a performance. In class, however, she will wear either flat shoes or Pointe shoes. Males only wear flat shoes, although there have been cases where the male will wear pointe shoes in class for strengthening practice.
Click here to learn more about Pointe Shoes.
Click here to learn more about Ballet Slippers.
![Picture](/uploads/2/0/4/6/20463616/272849811.jpg?288)
LEOTARDS
All dancers must wear leotards while they dance. There are a variety of brands, colors and styles that a ballerina can choose from. During training most professional ballet schools will have a "uniform" leotard. The students may not wear any other leotard then the one provided. Other schools, however, do not follow this same rule. As the student advances, eventually entering into a ballet company, she will be able to more freely choose what type, brand and color the leotard may be. Most pointe shoe brands also sell leotards, tights, and warm-ups. During a performance a ballerina will wear a nude leotard. This is just a skin colored leotard. The purpose of this leotard is so that the ballerina can easily have quick changes on the side of the stage. Many times soloists will not have enough time to change between costumes in a proper dressing room, thus having to change in front of other people, both genders included. A nude leotard enables the ballerina some modesty.
All dancers must wear leotards while they dance. There are a variety of brands, colors and styles that a ballerina can choose from. During training most professional ballet schools will have a "uniform" leotard. The students may not wear any other leotard then the one provided. Other schools, however, do not follow this same rule. As the student advances, eventually entering into a ballet company, she will be able to more freely choose what type, brand and color the leotard may be. Most pointe shoe brands also sell leotards, tights, and warm-ups. During a performance a ballerina will wear a nude leotard. This is just a skin colored leotard. The purpose of this leotard is so that the ballerina can easily have quick changes on the side of the stage. Many times soloists will not have enough time to change between costumes in a proper dressing room, thus having to change in front of other people, both genders included. A nude leotard enables the ballerina some modesty.
![Picture](/uploads/2/0/4/6/20463616/151742423.jpg?156)
TIGHTS
A ballerina will also wear tights during a performance and a class. Tights are essential for warming up. Although it may not seem so, tights help warm up the lower body tremendously. It is extremely important for a dancer to be warmed up for a performance or class to prevent injury. Tights are also used to form uniformity across the stage. Not everyone has the same skin tone and it helps make everyone look alike. Tights will also help shape and define the dancer's leg. It is much easier to see the contour of the leg with tights on.
A ballerina will also wear tights during a performance and a class. Tights are essential for warming up. Although it may not seem so, tights help warm up the lower body tremendously. It is extremely important for a dancer to be warmed up for a performance or class to prevent injury. Tights are also used to form uniformity across the stage. Not everyone has the same skin tone and it helps make everyone look alike. Tights will also help shape and define the dancer's leg. It is much easier to see the contour of the leg with tights on.
![Picture](/uploads/2/0/4/6/20463616/874175319.jpg?304)
WARM-UPS
Both men and women use warm-ups before class and performances. In order to prevent injury, the body needs to be properly warmed up. If a dancer rejects a request to preform because of an injury, she will most likely not be offered another solo position ever again. This is because ballet is so competitive and there is always someone else willing to take the risk. It is crucial for a dancer to have warm-ups; rarely do you seem them without one on. Warm-ups can come in different forms. There are always warm-up boots, sweaters, jumpers, leg warmers etc.
Both men and women use warm-ups before class and performances. In order to prevent injury, the body needs to be properly warmed up. If a dancer rejects a request to preform because of an injury, she will most likely not be offered another solo position ever again. This is because ballet is so competitive and there is always someone else willing to take the risk. It is crucial for a dancer to have warm-ups; rarely do you seem them without one on. Warm-ups can come in different forms. There are always warm-up boots, sweaters, jumpers, leg warmers etc.