Breaking a Ballet Record in Central Park

Ah, summer in NYC’s Central Park: Sun, fun and–hundreds of girls in pointe shoes? That was the delightfully incongruous scene this Monday, August 2nd as hundreds of ballerinas gathered in the park in an attempt to break the Guinness World Record for “Most Ballerinas on Pointe at One Time.” (The previous record of 220 was set at the Youth America Grand Prix last year.)  American Ballet Theatre’s Craig Salstein and Michele Wiles led the attempt, which was the brainchild of former ABT trustee Ellen Schiavone and well-known dance photographer Gene Schiavone.

The event was also a fundraiser for the Angelina Ballerina Stars of Tomorrow Program, which provides dance programs to the Boys and Girls Club. Dancers from the Club’s ballet school performed before the World Record attempt.

It was ultimately a successful afternoon: 231 dancers (including a few guys!) stood on pointe for a full minute, after which a representative from Guinness World Records presented a plaque to Gene Schiavone. Congrats to all who participated!