Some dancers add a light dusting of talcum powder to the insides of their shoes before or after rehearsal. Dancers spend hours at a time dancing in a single pair of shoes and their shoes can become rather smelly as a result. Because talc retains fragrance, the pleasant odor of commercially produced talcum powder can reduce or mask the smell associated with a dancer's sweaty feet.
Some dancers mistakenly conclude that talcum powder can give them more traction on studio floors. When dancers retreat to the corner of the dance studio and step into a tray filled with a powdery substance, that powder is not talc, but rosin. Rosin is dried tree sap and dancers apply a powdered version of it to the soles of their shoes and to the ends of their stiff toe boxes to make their shoes less slippery.
Many dancers suffer from blisters on their feet. In an effort to prevent blistering on the toes, some dancers apply talcum powder to the toe area of their feet or to the inside of the toe boxes of their shoes. They hope that talc's lubricating power will serve as a buffer and help prevent chaffing as the hard toe box rubs against the tender skin that covers the toe joints.
A dancer needs to maintain her shoes' clean appearance, particularly if she plans to perform in them onstage. When a light-colored satin or canvas shoe gets dirty or scuffed, a dancer may benefit from talcum powder's ability to hide such markings. A light application of powder can also alter the look of the shoe if a dancer prefers a matte finish rather than a shiny one.
Studio owners often have strict rules about what dancers can and cannot bring into the studio. Talcum powder, if used carelessly, can create a major safety hazard when it comes in contact with certain floor surfaces. Talc's soft and greasy quality can cause your fellow dancers to slip and injure themselves. You should clarify your studio's policy regarding the use of powders before applying powder to your own feet or dance shoes.