These dancers behind me are with the Dance Theatre of Harlem, and they're preparing for an upcoming show.

Look at ho strong and beautiful they are.

And sometimes times they look like they're dancing right on the tips of their toes.

How do they do that?

Why do ballerinas wear ballet shoes?

Some balle shoes are just simple slippers that help ensure a dancer doesn't slide on the stage when they don't want to.

But often when we think about ballet shoes, we're picturing pointe shoes that help a dancer danc right up on top of their toes.

Toe or pointe shoes spelled pointe started being used by dancers in the 1800s.

They're designed to support a dancer's foot and take some of the weight of the dancer, allowing them to lift up onto their toes without crushing or breaking delicate foot bones.

But it takes years of practice and building up of muscles before a ballet dancer can start dancing on pointe.

Lindsey Donnell is a company dancer with Dance Theatre of Harlem.

She's been dancin since she was three years old, but wasn't allowed to go on pointe until she was 11.

What did it feel like whe your teacher first said, okay, you can dance on pointe.

I was so excited.

It was like a dream come true because that is what I've been working for.

Why did you have to wait so long?

I had to train and build technique and muscle strength to make sure that my toes could support my whole body weight.

How long does a pair of pointe shoes last?

It depends on what we're doing.

Also, sometimes the time of year, because in the summer when it's really hot and sweaty, they'll break down.

I usually go through about two pairs a week.

So in the course of a year, that means you could be going through 100 pairs or more.

That's right.

But that being said, even the best shoes aren't making the dancer brilliant.

That's all down to the strength and beauty of the dancer herself so she can hop, pirouette and arabesque on the tips of her toes.

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