<p>This isn't a direct question about musical theater degrees, but I know that there are so many wonderfully helpful people on here who I'm sure can answer this question!</p>
<p>I'm in a musical theater production this summer, and our choreographer has told us to get our character shoes rubbered on the bottom. She says that the stage we'll be performing on is extra-slippery and if we don't do this, we'll slide more than desired when doing our dance numbers. </p>
<p>My dad is concerned that having rubber treads put on the bottom of my character shoes will "ruin" them and that I won't ever be able to use them again. Is this true? He never danced, sang, acted, or was anywhere nearer to a stage than the audience, so I feel like he's wrong. If it is true though, is there another alternative? Can I take sandpaper to the bottoms to rough them up a bit?</p>
<p>Daughter had to have rubber for her character shoes for the Rockette summer intensive a few years ago – apparently Radio City’s stage is super-slippery. She had it done at a shoe repair place. (Have to have her tap heels done, too.) They were a smooth rubber and she danced in those shoes afterward for a long time, on a variety of floors (wood, marley, whatever). Good luck with your show!</p>
<p>My D is a senior MT student and dancing in regional theatre this summer. She always adds a half rubber sole to her character shoes and has the heels reinforced. These steps will lesson your chance of injury and will not hurt the shoes…just make sure that you take the shoes to someone who does this type of work on a regular basis. Maybe call the dance department of a nearby college and ask them where their dancers take their shoes. Good luck!</p>
<p>Just adding my 2 cents in agreement. The first stop we make on the way home from purchasing new character shoes is the shoe repair to have the soles rubberized. In addition to providing an extra measure of safety, I think it also helps them last longer.</p>
<p>Used to dance in character shoes without needing rubber. My last show, on a newer stage, the choreographer suggested it - and I’m so glad she did. Got it done at a shoe repair shop.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone! I’ll be sure to get them rubbered now!</p>