Here at the MainStage Academy of Dance the preparation for pointe work is a slow and gradual process. At first, we do strengthening exercises at the barre such as simple rising on pointe and returning. Only when our students are fully comfortable and their tendons are strong enough are they introduced to routines or combinations on pointe. These exercises include slower relevés, échappés, and arabesque for example. MainStage uses RAD syllabus, where dancers are first taught to "roll-through" from flat to half pointe to pointe and down again and Russian technique in which the dancer springs directly from flat onto pointe. When dancers reach our upper intermediate levels and higher, we introduce pointe variations with speed, precision, and sustained balances. Students interested in pointe work must have completed Intermediate Levels 1 & 2 or equivalent and are required to audition for placement. View everything pointe