Globe Theatrical Supply Resource Center  712/255-0972

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STUDENT THEATER DANCE TRAINING SHOES <S>

 Although many types of footwear are used by theater dance students, the traditional styles continue to best permit the requisite training development of the foundation dance forms: ballet, tap, and jazz (modern and acrobatic slippers listed elsewhere). Following is a brief sampling of the dozens of variations of such styles with an explanation of their suitability. While these styles continue to serve well for performance, many additional styles are available for period, character, or fad applications with samplings listed elsewhere. Telephone for detailed, additional, fitting, and group outfitting information.
GTS has selected the following styles with the student and outfitting instructor in mind. Overall quality, price, sizing consistency, fitting ease, quicker shaping comfort, and proven popularity have separated these from other styles we supply. For your convenience, most leather-soled tap shoe styles may be ordered with full toe, Duo-tone, or Tele-tone taps attached, ready-to-wear. If other sizes, widths, colors, or styles are required, contact GTS for assistance. We handle nearly every dancewear style including manufacturers which provide custom construction for unique situations including musicals and other theater applications.
Shoe sizes are listed from smallest to largest available. Stock sizes may include child 5 - 13½ and adult 1 - 17.
Widths: Narrow, Medium, Wide, eXtra wide or: A, B, C, D, E, EE
Also, for an additional partial listings, select ACROBATIC/GYMNASTIC SLIPPERS, MODERN/ETHNIC SANDALS, or PERFORMANCE SHOES, POINTE SLIPPERS.
NOTE: Dance shoes need to be fitted {see, FITTING YOUNG STUDENT DANCE SHOES at the end of this file}. Ask about outfitting assistance.

BALLET SLIPPERS

 All listed ballets are fully lined all leather with traditional sole, drawlastics (elastic "drawstring"{see TYING DRAWLASTICS near the end of this file}), and attached arch elastics. Note differences in pinks.
C205    DAISY   (black, ballet pink, white)
Economical, slightly ample cut for young beginners.
Narrow, Medium, Wide widths. Sizes child 6 - 2½    16.75,    3 - 10    17.25
C200    TEKNIK  (black, new pink, white)
Traditional, fully shapeable upper available in extra widths, suitable for any student.
child 10 - 2½ B, child 6 - 2½ C D, child 6 - 9½ (E new pink only), child 10 - 2½ E, child 8 - 2½ (EE new pink only)    17.75
3 - 10 B C D (A new pink only), 3 - 9 E (EE new pink only)    18.25
Sq633    DELUXE BALLET  (black, pink, white)
Very fast shaping soft leather upper permits very clean fit for any student. Men's sizes to 12 D.
C child 7 - 3, D child 8½ - 3 (pink also: B child 8½ - 3)   17.25
C D 3½ - 10 (pink also: B width, C adult 10½ - 12)    17.75
adult 8½ - 12 (D black only)    32.50

TAP SHOES

 NOTE: Whether young or older, the first experience with metal taps may prove unexpectedly slippery. The control will soon improve as shoes shape to the wearer and experience improves coordination. The taps DO NOT need to be "broken in" and such practices as scuffing them on concrete only misshape and deteriorate the taps - you're still dancing on metal.
G601    BEGINNER TAP-TIE   (black patina, tan, white) (white patina M only)
All synthetic grosgrain ribbon tie youngster's style with soft upper, non-graduated heel, ball traction pad, and full toe and heel economy taps attached READY TO WEAR. An economical young beginner's tap shoe, suitable until greater relevé buoyancy and/or tap sound quality are useful.
Narrow Medium Wide
5½ - 12 child (Narrow from 8 child, Wide from size 7 child)    22.00
12½ - 3    23.00
3½ - 9 (no N; also black patina 9½-11 M, 4-10 W; tan 9½-10 M, 5-9 W; white 5-9 W)    24.00
For sizes over 3 we recommend G602 or C3800.
C625    JR TYETTE   (black patina, tan, white) (pink child 5½ - adult 7 M only)
The Capezio equivalent of the G601 including some additional sizing and pink.
Narrow, Medium, Wide
5½ - 6½ child (only M); 7 child - 3    24.00
3½ - 10    26.75
For sizes over 3 we recommend G602 or C3800.
G602    DELUXE TAP-TIE   (black patina, tan , white)
Soft, round-toed synthetic upper, leather soles and heels graduated to shoe size. Light flexible comfort for dance, theatre, or organ use. Specifically designed for tap dancing, this style permits the addition of quality taps and requires the development of higher relevé and associated improved buoyancy with increased size.
Narrow, Medium, Wide
child 8½ - 3    30.00
3½ - 11    34.00
G602/M    with attached full toe & Duo-tone Taps add    22.00
G602/T    with attached Tele-tone Toe & Heel Taps add    25.00
C3800 MARY JANE  (black, black patina, caramel, suntan, tan)
Buckle-strap styling with factory attached Tele-tone taps and sole traction-pad. Childrens (through 2½) are Velcro closure under mock buckle and include vamp throat bow. NOTE: Factory-set taps do not use longer adjustment screws or screw cement.
Medium, Wide
child 6 - 10½ (also N black, caramel, tan)    35.75
child 11 - 2½ (also N black, caramel, tan)    35.75
3 - 12    39.50
G604 GLOBE TEEN  (black, black patina, red, silver, tan, white)
Strap to elastic fastened buckle with medium (graduated 1½") French Louis heel, leather soles, and tapered vamp makes this style a must for young teens needing to develop higher relevé in preparation for professional 2" to 3" performance styles. Also an excellent 'first' tap, character, chorus or economy ballroom shoe for adults. Select taps for sizes listed below.
black or tan 5½ - 10 Narrow, 1 - 11 & 12 Medium, 5 - 10 Wide    33.00
black patina 1 - 11 Narrow & Medium    40.00 (some additional in stock clearance sizes $15.00, with taps $20.00)
red 3½ - 10 Medium    38.00
silver 1 - 11 Narrow & Medium    45.00
white 5½ - 11 Medium    38.00
white 3½ - 11 Narrow, 1 - 5 Medium,    40.00
G604/M    (for all sizes) with attached full toe & Duo-tone Taps add    22.00
G604/D    (for most widths sizes 2 - 11) with attached Tele-tone Toe & Duo-tone Heel Taps add    23.50
G604/T    (for most widths sizes 5½M - 11) with attached Tele-tone Toe & Heel Taps add    25.00
C550    JUNIOR FOOTLIGHT   (black, caramel, tan, white)
Capezio 1½" graduated heel "strap tap shoe", synthetic upper, leather sole, includes additional color and sizes.
child 12½ - 3½ Medium    34.25
4 - 10 Narrow (not white), 4 - 11 Medium, 5 - 11 Wide    34.25
adult 11½ - 12 M W (black, caramel only)    36.25
C550/M    (for all sizes) with attached full toe & Duo-tone Taps add    24.00
C550/D    (for sizes 2 - 11) with attached Tele-tone Toe & Duo-tone Heel Taps add    25.50
C550/T    (for sizes 5½ M - 11) with attached Tele-tone Toe & Heel Taps add    27.00
C551    LEATHER JUNIOR FOOTLIGHT   (black, tan)
C550 with faster shaping leather upper.
4 - 10 Narrow, 4 - 11 Medium, 5 - 11 Wide    52.00
C551/M    (for all sizes) with attached full toe & Duo-tone Taps add    24.00
C551/D    (for most widths sizes 2 - 11) with attached Tele-tone Toe & Duo-tone Heel Taps add    25.50
C551/T    (for most widths sizes 5½ M - 11) with attached Tele-tone Toe & Heel Taps add    27.00
C561 FACTORY-SET TAPS JR. FOOTLIGHT   (black, caramel, suntan, tan)
C551 with factory attached Tele-tone toe and Duo-tone heel taps. NOTE: Factory-set taps do not use longer adjustment screws or screw cement.
4 - 11 Medium, Wide    62.75
G606- GLOBE TILLER   (black, black patina, red, silver, tan, white)
Strap to elastic fastened buckle with full (graduated 2") Louis heel, leather soles, and more tapered vamp makes this visually flattering style, literally, "the next step up" tap, character, chorus or economy ballroom, or theater shoe. Select taps for sizes listed below.
606V    VINYL TILLER with synthetic uppers.
black 5 - 10, 11 Medium    35.00
black 4 - 10, 11 Medium, 6 - 11 Wide    39.00
black patina 4 - 10 Narrow & Medium    54.00
silver 5 - 10 Medium    51.25
tan 5 - 10 Medium    35.00
606L    LEATHER TILLER with leather uppers.
black 5 - 10 Narrow, 5 - 12 Medium, 5½ - 12 Wide    47.50
red 5 - 9 Medium    51.25
tan 5 - 10 Narrow, 5 - 12 Medium, 6 - 10 Wide    47.50
white 5 - 10 Medium, 6 - 10 Wide   47.50
G606/M    (for all sizes) with attached full toe & Duo-tone Taps add    22.00
G606/D    (for  all sizes) with attached Tele-tone Toe & Duo-tone Heel Taps add    23.50
G606/T    (for most widths sizes 9½ - 12) with attached Tele-tone Toe & Heel Taps add    25.00
C650    STUDENT FOOTLIGHT   (black, tan, white)
Strap tap shoe with graduated 2" heel, soft leather upper, leather sole.
4½ - 10 Narrow, 4 - 12 Medium, 5 - 12 Wide (no white 11½ - 12)    57.00
C650/M    (for all sizes) with attached full toe & Duo-tone Taps add    24.00
C650/D    (for all sizes) with attached Tele-tone Toe & Duo-tone Heel Taps add    25.50
C650/T    (for most widths sizes 9½ - 12) with attached Tele-tone Toe & Heel Taps add    27.00
C700    T-STRAP   (black, tan)
T-strap style variation of the C650.
sizes 4 - 10 Narrow Medium Wide    68.50
For taps, see C650 above.

G613    BEGINNER TAP OXFORD  (black patina)
Economical synthetic oxford with economy taps attached READY TO WEAR, for young boys.
child 8/½ - 6 D width    36.00
C442    TAPSTER  (black, tan)
Very economical synthetic young boys beginner oxford with economy taps attached READY TO WEAR.
widths Medium & Wide, sizes child 8½ - 6    26.75, adult 6½ - 12    27.75
G615    DELUXE TAP OXFORD  (black, black patina, white)
Traditional leather soled men's tap oxford, graduated heel, choice of upper. Also suitable for theater, chorus, or organ use.
child 8½ - 2 black patina D width    35.25
adult 6½ - 12 black patina D width    53.00
6½ -13 black leather D width, 7½ - 12 E width    65.75
8 -12 white leather D width    65.75
G615/M    (for all sizes) with attached full toe & Duo-tone Taps add    22.00
G615/D    (for all sizes) with attached Tele-tone Toe & Duo-tone Heel Taps add    23.50
G615/T    (for all sizes) with attached Tele-tone Toe & Heel Taps add    25.00
C445    ADULT OXFORD   (black)
All leather men's tap oxford, 1" heel, excellent for a variety of performance applications.
adult 6½ - 12 Medium Wide    80.00
C445/M    (for all sizes) with attached full toe & Duo-tone Taps add    22.50
C445/D    (for all sizes) with attached Tele-tone Toe & Duo-tone Heel Taps add    23.75
C445/T    (for all sizes) with attached Tele-tone Toe & Heel Taps add    25.00

Also other brands and styles with factory attached taps.

JAZZ OXFORDS

 Similar to a ballet slipper, all following jazz oxfords are fast shaping, very flexible, and light weight. The adjustable lace tension of the oxford style permits moderate outsizing on growing students by maintaining the foot firmly into the shoe heel pocket. Also excellent for musicals and drill team applications.
These "split-sole" styles are true ghillie patterned with separately contoured inside and outside shoe patterns attached by a lateral seam along the center of the sole and undersized ball and heel pads, allowing shaping to begin from the center of the arch of the foot. Fit like a ballet slipper, not a tap oxford.
Lo650    PROTÉGÉ   (black, tan, white)
One piece low cut soft leather upper, 3/8" rubber wedge heel, full sueded sole for greatest freedom of movement. Traditional student jazz oxford permitting easy turns, pivots, and slides with close to the floor à terre level heel traction.
Medium width, sizes child 10 - 3    28.25, 3½ - 12 (also black 12½ - 14)    30.00
TIVOLI OXFORD   SnJS3 SnJS1 (black, tan)
Leather reinforced pleated toe split-sole with suede sole pad and leather covered 3/8" rubber heel and elastic waist (wrap around sides and arch elastic gore). Very economical shoe, but limited sizing.
Medium width, Sansha sizes 3 - 20, whole (no half) sizes only. Sansha "International" sizing is numerically approximately 3 sizes larger than dance shoe size. Order about 2½ to 3 numbers larger than established ballet/jazz size; i.e., try a Tivoli size 10 for established 7 to 7½ dance foot size.
SnJS3    TIVOLI CANVAS upper (also dyeable white)    20.00
SnJS1    TIVOLI LEATHER upper    29.50
Bh403    ULTRAFLEX JAZZ OXFORD   (black, tan, white)
Split-sole very soft upper with slightly pleated toe permits sock-like fit, rubber sole pad and separate 3/8" rubber heel for traction.
Medium, Narrow (from size 4)
403L ladies: child 10 - 3½    44.75, 4 - 11½     45.75
403M mens: adult 6 - 13 (no tan, Medium only)    48.50
CCG02    JAZZ GOLD   (black, tan, white)
Tractive split-sole, very soft oxford, 3/8" rubber heel.
Medium, Wide
child 10 - 2½ (tan from 12½)    41.00
3 - 10    42.75
adult 10½ - 14 (no tan)    44.75

TAP ACCESSORIES  <SA>

Taps  C22, C23, C20, C21

 Sizes larger to smaller: C-- Toes #1-5, C21 #1-10 C23 #1-2½-6
When Ordering Tap Shoes specify style of taps desired and whether attachment is desired.
When ordering taps without shoes, either specify tap sizes or shoe style for which they are intended or send tracing of sole toe and heel. Taps and tap services are priced per pair for toes or heels.
C20:C21    MASTER TOE : DUOTONE HEEL    9.50
The industry standard nail attached taps with outstanding sound, placement, and durability features. Generally, no maintenance is required.
NOTE:  Master toe taps have been discontinued. As our stock of any size is depleted (currently #1 & 2), we shall be attaching a similar "no maintenance" style.
C22:C23    TELE-TONE TAPS (toe : heel)    10.00
The Capezio tap specially designed to provide clear TV transmission and better sound definition on any stage or floor. Screw attached light weight hollow taps over nailed-on fiber wafers. Each tap may be independently tuned to provide a different frequency of sound and are considered by many the finest taps available. The screws should be attached with shoe cement (listed below), allowing tension adjustment without loss of grip to the sole leather.
G27:G28    BELL CLOGGING TAPS (toe : heel)    10.50

Several other styles and brands of taps available - ask.

                    GTSAID:  CUSTOM ATTACHED TAPS

The GTS unique tap attachment methods involve a variety of materials and techniques rarely combined. Inner soles are not removed, thus avoiding the common misallignment and rippling problems associated with their reattachment. All heel taps have two allignment holes pre-drilled inwardly angled to assure accurate tap placement and minimize the chance of side-of-heel expansion blemishes. Nail-on taps and fiber-boards are pin-punched, burying the nail tips into the inner soles. Fiber-boards are positioned with two standard length tacks, then finish mounted with shorter less obtrusive tacks. All screws are mounted with rubber shoe cement, allowing repeated adjustment while minimizing the chance of screw loss. Because the board back edge screw pair should always be tight, they are shorter. The point screw  for each tap is longer, allowing loosening to acheive the "clapping" effect premiered by the original Tele-tone 3-screw design. By varying the point screw lengths it is even possible to control the audible frequency of each tap, permitting four tone cramp rolls, etc. (Yes, tapping can be musical, as well as, rhythmic.) Unless otherwise requested, GTS taps are centered to the sole or heel and alligned with the toe tap at the end of the sole and the heel tap set about a 1/16" in from the back edge of the heel. When requested, various custom placement configurations are possible; i.e., forward and/or inward toe tap and fully-back heel tap placement to facilitate easier clips, or more outside or inside placement of toe taps to facilitate easier wings or side riffs. Telephone (712/255-0972) regarding your needs. NOTE: The GTS attachment systems are not used for factory attachment.

The attached taps product code letter follows the shoe style code. Price includes taps or braces and attachment service per pair of shoes.
<ZSAG> on SG : on other brands
---/M full toe & Duotone    22.00 : 24.00
---/D Tele-tone toe & Duotone heel    23.50 : 25.50
---/T Tele-tone toe & heel    25.00 : 27.00
---/H heel braces, inside or outside    10.00 : 10.00
ZZSG3    REMOVAL SERVICE taps or wafers    1.00/per pair\per layer

Miscellaneous Accessories

 G29    HIGH-HEEL BRACES    5.00/per pair
C30    REPLACEMENT STRAPS with attached buckle (black, tan, white)    6.00/per pair
G35    SHOE CEMENT 2 oz.    5.00,    19.00/per quart
Wr----    GROSGRAIN RIBBON 5/8" wide (other widths available) (40 colors)    15.00/ per 20 yards
Ask about shoe dyes and dying service.

GTSAID:        TYING "DRAWLASTICS"

Because all dancewear should conform to the wearer's shape, a properly designed theater dance shoe drawstring or draw-elastic sleeve should be self-closing, hiding the string knot. The advantage of drawlastics over drawstrings is the ellimination of the bulky bow knot while allowing neat contouring to the foot of the slipper upper edge with easy slipper removal and replacement onto the foot. With the slipper on the feet, the following sequence is recommended.
    1. Pull the string ends outward across the arch (never upward, which risks tearing sleeve stitches from the slipper) to the desired contour and tension.
    2. Overhand the string ends then rotate the overhand knot 90º. The knot should disappear as the sleeve notch closes over it. If not, rotate in the opposite direction. Tie a bow knot then stand and releve, tendu, etc. to confirm comfort and shaping. Adjust and test until satisfied.
    (3.) (This is an optional step using a temporary knot, unnecessary for users familiar with the tension they desire.) Tie a bow knot, remove the slipper, fold the knot string  inside the slipper vamp (like a drawstring), and use the slipper until tension satisfaction is certain. If there is irritation (usually on the Achilles tendon) or undesireable gapping; untie, retension, and use until satisfied.
    4. Untie the bow, rotate the overhand knot to free it, reversing overlap with a second overhand knot, completing a square knot.
NOTE: Be certain that tension and knot design are correct. Properly done this will be a permanent knot, very difficult to adjust; incorrectly tied, the knot may come undone and the elastic will disappear into the sleeve. Tighten square knot and rotate into sleeve notch.
    5. Overhand each elastic end about 1½" above the square knot, tighten the overhand knots, then cut off the excess elastic above these overhands. The resulting elastic "pigtails" are easily and comfortably obscured under the slipper vamp while the end knots prevent any fraying elastic coating from reaching and loosening the square knot.

GTSAID:        FITTING YOUNG STUDENT DANCE SHOES

Although all dancewear, including properly designed shoes, should fit snuggly, students generally under age 10 have neither the foot strength nor the technical skill requiring a clean, rapid shape-out fit. Also, youngsters will most likely outgrow dance shoes long before wearing them out. To fascilitate a reasonable use period (usually one dance season: fall through spring) slight out-lengthing is wise. Always wear light-weight hosiery (tights are ideal) when fitting dance shoes. Consider the following:
    1. The foot heel must remain in the shoe heel or the shoe will not be controllable or may fall off.
    2. Excessive length or width can severely mislocate the foot in the shoe, diminishing movement control (which is the primary objective of theater dance training).
    3. No two feet are identical - the right and left are NOT the same size or shape. Always fit both feet per shoe size in order to fascilitate the final compromise decision.
    4. Length and width are measurements of the SOLES of the feet, not considering the length of the toes or fullness of the transverse or lateral arches.
    5. Shoe length must accomodate the full length of all toes. Curled toes must be gently pressed flat to determine actual foot length.
    6. Most foot growth will be length, but some additional fullness growth should be accomodated.
    7. Consider any foot structure which may be affected by a fitted shoe. Because most street shoes are not shapeable, children's street shoe fittings must be much outsized; more like a shoe box compared to a dance shoe. Foot structure anomalies which would not be noted in street shoes may appear in dance shoes; for example, an upward curled primary toe with excessive nail length may drive into the shoe vamp, irritating the cuticle.
    8. Because of use differences, dance shoes vary in design structure and materials, requiring separate and different considerations for each style. For example:
        - Ballet and acrobatic/gymnastic slippers will shape faster and to a greater degree than other styles.
        - Jazz and tap oxfords have moderate shapeability and the advantage of a laced vamp, locking the foot firmly into the shoe heel pocket.
        - Girl's tap-tie (with grosgrain ribbon) styles require the student learning how to properly tightly tie the shoes to avoid heel slippage
            (the elastics on some styles will NOT hold the foot heel in the shoe heel pocket).
        - Higher heeled strap-tap styles must be fitted snuggly to avoid heel slippage irritation of the Achilles tendon and the strap buckle cutting through the buckle elastic (the "weak link" in the strap system). In other words, the shoe is kept on by the heel mounted firmly in the shoe heel pocket.
In all cases, a competent fitting is vigorously encouraged. The above list is far from comprehensive; not discussing toe-length taper, arch height, taper to heel, heel shape, and much more. In general, the objective of fitting dance shoes is not fitting feet sizes; but, rather feet shapes to shoe shapeability.
For further assistance, contact GTS - 712 / 255-0972.

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This file was partially updated 6/1/09.