The Need for Marley Floor and How to Care for It as a Dancer
Image source: https://www.flooringinc.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/ballet-pin.jpg
Dancers seem to be dancing everywhere. You can see them bopping around on the subway cars and in the line for their morning coffee. They are always moving and it seems to be their natural state of being. However, a dancer is most at home dancing on a stage covered in marley flooring.
No matter what kind of dance shoes you have, from Bloch shoes to Capezio dance shoes, you're going to slip around on a floor that isn't covered in marley. Marley is basically a vinyl covering that can vary in thickness from very thin at a quarter of an inch to over an inch and a half thick! It's the best flooring for dance because it allows for some sliding and movement but has enough friction tension to keep your shoes from slipping all over the place. Especially for dancers who dance ballet en pointe, marley floor is a serious ally.
However, when cared for improperly, marley floor can be a dangerous place to dance. Dirt, dust, and other debris can cause the vinyl flooring to become slippery which can be incredibly hazardous to a dancer. One false move and you could become severely injured! It is not difficult to properly care for a marley dance floor. You just need to follow a few rules.
First, never wear any shoes except your dance shoes like Bloch shoes or Capezio dance shoes onto the dance space. Street shoes should NEVER been worn on marley floor. This is a surefire way to get it dirty and make it slippery.
Second, before dancing on the floor, make sure it has been swept and mopped. Your stage manager or production manager will oversee the cleaning of the stage before a performance. If you don't have a stage manager or a production manager, simply sweep any dust or dirt from the floor and go over the area with a damp mop.
Third, make sure that your dance shoes are clean before you enter the dancing area. Keep a damp cloth nearby the entrance to the stage and wipe down any part of your shoes that are going to touch the floor. If you are going to be dancing barefoot, keep slippers or shoes on until just before your entrance. Make sure your feet are clean before dancing on the marley and always wash them immediately after a performance. This will ensure that your feet and the flooring remain clean and safe.
