The regulation stage shoe has a very flexible shank and a French heel. It is not a desirable shoe for the student of dancing because of the heel. But for high kicking and similar types of stage dancing after one has acquired a knowledge of the art, it is very satisfactory. Be sure it is comfortable and fits well.
There are other shoes that come naturally into use on the stage for certain types of dancing. There is the low ballet shoe of the Greek type, and a similar one in the high ballet type.
What is known as the Russian boot finds its place in some dances. It is often red, green, or white, to match the costume. Variations of this boot are the Spanish, Gypsy or Hungarian, Cowboy, and others.
There is also a high-laced close fitting boot with a very low heel and soft sole used by men, as a rule, in certain kinds of acrobatic dancing.
When you get into theatrical footwear, there is practically no limit to the possibilities and the variations. Period shoes of all times and nations—Grecian, Roman, Egyptian, etc.,—make the list almost endless.
But really the only dancing shoes you will first concern yourself with are those I have designated as belonging to the learners' work for foundation technique, acrobatic, musical comedy, tap and step, ballet and toe dancing.
In the exhibition dancing the usual ball room shoes are preferred. If the dance is done in character, that will determine the style of the shoes.
I want to sound a warning about French-heeled shoes and high-heeled shoes in general, such as ladies find so fashionable.
A pretty female foot is charming, and one's feet should be dressed in the most becoming manner. But high-heeled shoes do not make a pretty foot. It is impossible to walk gracefully or safely in them, and as for dancing, no one can ever hope to become a dancer who wears such clumsy foot-gear while attempting to learn the art.
The persistent wearing of high-heeled shoes does much to bring about female troubles. It is conducive to ill health, crooked figures, weak ankles, and many internal ills. There are crippled ladies of mature years whom I know, who frankly admit that their condition is due solely to the wearing of high-heeled shoes in their younger years, "to make their feet look pretty."