A shoe made for the stage
Some models aim to reproduce reality as closely as possible. Others need to step beyond everyday scale and become part of a story. Dance4Life brought us just such a brief: a striking bespoke shoe for its children’s show formation, Keckový GALA.
The prop is more than background scenery. In the photographs, the dancers hold it and incorporate it directly into the performance. The familiar trainer shape takes on a new role as a recognisable motif throughout the choreography.
80 hours, layer by layer
Behind the finished result were 3 days and 8 hours of continuous 3D printing — the 80 hours mentioned in the school’s thank-you message. Large-format production turned the shoe into a prop with a bold sole, laces and a tall tongue.
Workshop photographs show the printing process and a pair of white prints before finishing. They reveal how the digital shape gradually becomes a physical object ready to take its place on stage.
From the workshop to the stage lights
On stage, the white prints give way to a glossy finish and striking details. In the group photograph, lighting also highlights the outlines of the soles. The transformation shows how 3D printing can provide a foundation for stage design.
For us, the value of this collaboration lies in what happened after printing: the object found its place in the choreography and became part of a shared performance.
What Dance4Life said about the collaboration
“Thanks to Cubelab 3D printing Brno for creating the iconic prop for the whole formation. Together, we made something truly exceptional, designed specifically for us!”
Dance4Life dance school, public Facebook post (translated from Czech)
Thank you to Dance4Life for their trust and for the photographs in which our work continues its own story.
Have an idea for a prop of your own?
We can create a bespoke object for a dance performance, theatre production or exhibition. Send us a sketch, photograph or description, approximate dimensions and details of how it will be used. Together, we will discuss production options and the next steps.
