Photos: Behind the scenes at Los Angeles Ballet

Los Angeles Ballet dancers Bianca Bulle, from left, Allyssa Bross and Ashley Millar tape their feet and prepare their pointe shoes for rehearsal at LAB’s studios in West L.A. in April.

Los Angeles Ballet soloist Bianca Bulle uses a lighter to burn the ends of her pointe shoe ribbons before rehearsal at LAB’s studios in West L.A. in April.

A Los Angeles Ballet dancer rubs her pointe shoes in rosin to help better grip the floors before rehearsals start at LAB’s West L.A. studios.

Los Angeles Ballet dancers in pointe shoes stretch before rehearsals at the company’s West L.A. studios.

Dancers with Los Angeles Ballet dress and prepare for rehearsal of “Sechs Tänze (Six Dances),� by choreographer Jirí Kylián, at LAB’s West Los Angeles studios.

Los Angeles Ballet principal dancer Allynne Noelle, in her fifth season with the company, stretches her ankles before rehearsing “Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 2� at LAB’s West Los Angeles studios.

Los Angeles Ballet principal dancer Allyssa Bross stretches before rehearsals at LAB’s studios in West Los Angeles. The small burns on her shoulders are from contact with the floor during rehearsals.

Samuel Akins, a Los Angeles Ballet company dancer in his first season, stretches before rehearsing “Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 2� at LAB’s studios. The George Balanchine-choreographed piece will be part of “Directors’ Choice/Masterworks of the 20th Century,� Los Angeles Ballet’s last production of its ninth season.

Los Angeles Ballet’s Erik Thordal-Christensen and Alyssa Bross rehearse George Balanchine’s “Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto #2,� while LAB artistic director Thordal Christensen, right, looks on at LAB’s West Los Angeles studios.

Los Angeles Ballet principal dancer Allyssa Bross performs a portion of the George Balanchine-choreographed “Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 2� at LAB’s studios in West L.A. on May 13.

Dancers with Los Angeles Ballet rehearse the George Balanchine-choreographed, “Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 2� at their West L.A. studios.

Los Angeles Ballet principal dancer Allynne Noelle rehearses “Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 2� at the company’s West L.A. studios.

Seen through the arms of ballet mistress Katherine Cowgill, Los Angeles Ballet dancers rehearse at their West L.A. headquarters in April.

Los Angeles Ballet principal dancer Allyssa Bross displays her makeup case at her Santa Monica home on May 18. Bross brings the case to her performances and it carries not only her essential makeup, but mementos from previous shows including a swan pin from her parents following her role as Odette/Odile in “Swan Lake� and well-wishes from friends.

Los Angeles Ballet principal dancer Allyssa Bross puts the final touches on her makeup before a dress rehearsal of José Limón’s “The Moor’s Pavane,� part of the last production of LAB’s ninth season.

Los Angeles Ballet principal dancer Zheng Hua Li gets his makeup done by fellow principal Allyssa Bross, before their performance together at a dress rehearsal of José Limón’s “The Moor’s Pavane.�

Los Angeles Ballet dancers Zachary Guthier, left, David Block and Erik Thordal-Christensen prepare to get into character to rehearse “Directors’ Choice.�

Los Angeles Ballet artistic director Colleen Neary reviews body positions backstage with dancers Elizabeth Claire Walker, left, and Allyssa Bross, following their dress rehearsal of José Limón’s “The Moor’s Pavane.�

Los Angeles Ballet dancer Elizabeth Claire Walker, left, and Allyssa Bross hug backstage after their dress rehearsal of José Limón’s “The Moor’s Pavane.�

Allynne Noelle, principal dancer with Los Angeles Ballet, warms up before a dress rehearsal of “Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 2.�

Los Angeles Ballet principal dancer Allyssa Bross and company dancer Samuel Akins watch a dress rehearsal of “Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 2.�

Los Angeles Ballet principal dancer Allyssa Bross waits for the stage to be swept before a dress rehearsal of José Limón’s “The Moor’s Pavane.�

Los Angeles Ballet dancers Zheng Hua Li, from left, Bianca Bulle, Allyssa Bross and Erik Thordal-Christensen talk before a dress rehearsal of José Limón’s “The Moor’s Pavane.�

Los Angeles Ballet dancer Elizabeth Claire Walker stretches before joining the dress rehearsal of “Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 2.�

Los Angeles Ballet dancers stretch before a dress rehearsal of “Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 2.�

Allynne Noelle, principal dancer with Los Angeles Ballet, performs in the dress rehearsal of “Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 2.�

Los Angeles Ballet dancers Madeline Houk, left, and Ashley Millar ready for a dress rehearsal of “Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 2.�

Los Angeles Ballet dancers Elizabeth Claire Walker, from left, Allyssa Bross, Erik Thordal-Christensen and Zheng Hua Li in a dress rehearsal of José Limón’s “The Moor’s Pavane.�

Los Angeles Ballet principal dancer Allyssa Bross and dance partner Erik Thordal-Christensen in a dress rehearsal of José Limón’s “The Moor’s Pavane.�

Los Angeles Ballet principal dancer Allyssa Bross, left, and soloist Bianca Bulle in a dress rehearsal of José Limón’s “The Moor’s Pavane.�

Los Angeles Ballet dancers wait for their turn during a dress rehearsal in Redondo Beach of George Balanchine’s “Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 2.�

Dancers with Los Angeles Ballet rehearse the George Balanchine-choreographed “Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 2.�

Los Angeles Ballet’s Zachary Guthier, from left, Julia Cinquemani and Dustin True rehearse “Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 2.�

Dancers with Los Angeles Ballet rehearse the George Balanchine-choreographed “Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 2.�

Los Angeles Ballet dancer Erik Thordal-Christensen poses during a dress rehearsal of “Sechs Tänze (Six Dances)� by choreographer Jirí Kylián.

Los Angeles Ballet dancers during a dress rehearsal of the George Balanchine-choreographed “Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 2.�

Los Angeles Ballet dancers, including Chloé Sherman, center, rehearse “Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 2.�

Allynne Noelle, principal dancer with Los Angeles Ballet, watches company dancers perform during a dress rehearsal of “Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 2.�

Los Angeles Ballet principal dancer Christopher Revels soars during a dress rehearsal of the George Balanchine-choreographed “Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 2.�

Los Angeles Ballet dancers, including Chloé Sherman, center, prepare backstage for a dress rehearsal of “Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 2.�

Los Angeles Ballet dancers Christopher McDaniel, from left, Britta Lazenga, Zachary Guthier and Julia Cinquemani in a dress rehearsal of “Sechs Tänze (Six Dances)� by choreographer Jirí Kylián.

Los Angeles Ballet dancer Chloé Sherman in a dress rehearsal of “Sechs Tänze (Six Dances)� by choreographer Jirí Kylián.

Los Angeles Ballet dancers Chloé Sherman, left, and Chelsea Paige Johnston share a laugh before running through a dress rehearsal of Jirí Kylián’s “Sechs Tänze (Six Dances).�

Los Angeles Ballet principal dancers Christopher Revels, center left, and Allynne Noelle perform with the company during a dress rehearsal of “Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 2.�

Los Angeles Ballet dancers in a dress rehearsal of “Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 2.�

A look at the feet of principal dancer Allynne Noel reveals the grit it takes to hit such grace at Los Angeles Ballet.