Ballet Dictionary: En Pointe
Photo by Mark Sumaylo • Text by Abigail Oliveiro
Step: En Pointe
How: To be en pointe is where a dancer has her entire weight on full pointe, over the box of her pointe shoes. She can be en pointe on one leg (as demonstrated) or on two legs. Typically, it is always female dancers who go en pointe. However, some male dancers also do pointe work. There are two ways to go en pointe: through a relevé or pique. Through a relevé is where the dancer goes from plie, and pushes through the feet to finish with a straight leg en pointe. To piqué is “to prick”. This is where the dancer transfers their weight onto an already straight and pointed leg, finishing en pointe.
Dancer: Jessica Pearl Dames, Company Artist, Ballet Manila
Location: Studio 3, Ballet Manila
