Most Ballet Dancers On Pointe

On Monday, August 2, ballerinas of all ages arrived in Central Park in New York City to attempt to break the record for most ballet dancers on pointe.  The attempt was organized by professional ballet photographer Gene Schiavone and his wife Ellen, who is currently the head of American Ballet Theatre's Costume Fund.

Gene and Ellen wanted to stage the event in order to bring attention to dance and ballet, and to raise awareness for the Angelina Ballerina Stars of Tomorrow (AB Stars) campaign, which promotes dance as a fun and healthy activity to children around the world.  Donations were accepted on-site for the Kips Bay Boys and Girls Club performing arts program, which is a partner of the AB Stars campaign.

Spirits were high as dancers started registering for the attempt at 4:00pm.  Angelina Ballerina herself was on hand to greet the dancers, and future ballet stars from the Kips Bay Boys and Girls Club performed for the enthusiastic crowd.

Angelina Ballerina posing with dancers from the Kips Bay Boys and Girls Club performing arts program.

Angelina Ballerina loves Guinness World Records!

Also participating in the festivities were American Ballet Theatre principal dancer Michele Wiles and ABT soloist Craig Salstein.  Both dancers helped to lead the attempt, with Craig on stage acting as the emcee and demonstrating the dance combination, and Michele leading the attempt in the front of the formation.

The number to beat for the record was 220 dancers, which was set in New York City in April 2009.  The dancers were determined to break the previous record – several participants offered to lend an extra pair of pointe shoes to dancers who didn’t have shoes with them.  In the end, 241 dancers registered for the attempt.

'Break the Ballet Record' registration area

There was still work to be done, however, as the guidelines stated that all registered dancers must stay on pointe for one minute in order to be counted.  Dancers assembled in ten perfectly positioned rows, and learned the combination.  At the official signal, dancers rose onto their toes, and 230 participants made it through the combination entirely on pointe – a new Guinness World Records achievement!

Dancers on pointe, setting a new Guinness World Records achievement