En pointe en masse presents 84 pairs of pointe shoes, less than half the number required during a season by Ballet Des Moines dancers, arranged to reveal the life cycle of a dancer’s journey. From the pristine satin of a student’s first pair to the battered remains of a professional’s "dead" shoes, each pair tells a story of discipline and transformation. Together, they reflect the dual nature of ballet: the elegance and poise that meet relentless training, raw athleticism, and unwavering precision.