'Ballet brings me so much joy and I want to spread it': Kadeem En Pointe • FRANCE 24 English

Key Concepts

• On Pointe (En Pointe): A ballet technique where the dancer supports their body weight on the tips of fully extended feet within specialized shoes.
• Gaynor Minden: A brand of pointe shoes constructed with modern materials like plastic/elastomers, offering more durability and support compared to traditional paper-mâché construction.
• The Box: The reinforced, hardened front portion of a pointe shoe that allows the dancer to balance on their toes.
• Gender Norms in Ballet: The societal expectation that pointe work is exclusively for female dancers, which the guest aims to challenge and normalize for male dancers.

Main Topics and Key Points

• Mission and Advocacy: The guest, Kadeem, is dedicated to promoting ballet as an inclusive art form, specifically advocating for men to perform on pointe. His goal is to spread the joy of dance and inspire others to pursue their own passions.
• Global Performance Project: Kadeem travels to iconic global locations (including London, Italy, and Paris) to film spontaneous ballet performances. He emphasizes that his work is often improvised, choosing locations based on aesthetic appeal rather than rigid planning.
• Technical Aspects of Pointe Shoes:
  • Kadeem uses Gaynor Minden shoes, which are made of plastic, providing a harder, more durable structure than traditional paper-mâché shoes.
  • He applies tape to the bottom of his shoes to increase traction and prevent slipping on various outdoor surfaces.
• Overcoming Physical Challenges: While acknowledging that men are generally heavier than women—making traditional partnering (lifting) difficult—Kadeem argues that with proper training, the male body can adapt to the demands of pointe work. He believes the art form can evolve to incorporate different body types and strengths.

Real-World Applications and Examples

• Paris Filming: Kadeem filmed at the Trocadéro (with the Eiffel Tower in the background) and the Palais de Tokyo. He noted the challenges of filming in extreme heat and the difficulty of lighting when shooting against the sun.
• Collaborative Art: He collaborated with a street dancer named Ines in Paris, highlighting the intersection of professional ballet and street performance culture.

Methodology and Process

• Spontaneous Creation: Kadeem describes his creative process as "go with the flow." He often carries a portable speaker and selects performance spots on the fly based on the beauty of the environment.
• Training Background: Kadeem’s interest began in Trinidad, where he was the only boy in his ballet class. He insisted on participating in the same pointe exercises as the female students, which eventually led to his lifelong practice.

Key Arguments and Perspectives

• Inclusivity: Kadeem argues that ballet should be accessible to everyone, regardless of gender or whether the performance is on or off pointe. He frequently dances in trainers and shorts to emphasize that the passion for movement is more important than traditional costumes or rigid gender roles.
• Emotional Well-being: He views ballet as a vital source of joy and a coping mechanism for difficult times, hoping his public displays of passion will encourage others to find their own "happy place."

Notable Quotes

• "I’m not just trying to show like men on pointe, I’m trying to just bring ballet to people regardless of what type of ballet this is, on pointe, off pointe." — Kadeem
• "I think there’s something about, you know, a man dancing on point that people think is shocking. And maybe it is and hopefully one day it won’t be." — Kadeem

Future Outlook

• Live Production: Kadeem is currently producing a live show in London to meet his audience in person.
• Global Accessibility: To ensure his work reaches a wider audience, he plans to live-stream the London performance globally.
• Evolution: He is moving away from rigid planning toward a more organic, "go with the flow" approach to his career, allowing his artistic journey to evolve naturally.

Synthesis

Kadeem’s work serves as a bridge between traditional ballet and modern, inclusive performance art. By utilizing specialized equipment like Gaynor Minden shoes and performing in public, non-traditional spaces, he challenges the gendered history of pointe work. His mission is less about technical perfection and more about fostering a universal appreciation for dance, using his platform to inspire others to pursue their passions with the same joy and resilience he brings to his own practice.