Ice theatre

Last updated
Ice theatre may refer to both a competitive discipline as well as professional skating ensembles, such as Holiday on Ice (pictured), which is a theatrical ice show. Holiday on Ice 1986b.jpg
Ice theatre may refer to both a competitive discipline as well as professional skating ensembles, such as Holiday on Ice (pictured), which is a theatrical ice show.

Ice Theatre (also known as Theatre on Ice, TOI, and Ballet on Ice) is a branch of figure skating that merges technical jumps and spins with unique choreography, ice dancing, pairs moves, synchronized skating, and theater to tell a story or act out an emotion or idea. It is a relatively new branch of figure skating, but it is growing quickly. [1] Ice Theatre can be enjoyed by the youngest to the oldest and brings out the more artistic side of figure skating.

Contents

This article focuses on ice theatre as a competitive discipline for amateur or recreational skaters. "Ice Theatre" can also refer to professional skating ensembles such as the John Curry Company, Ice Theatre of New York, The Next Ice Age, Seattle Ice Theatre, Ice-Semble Chicago and American Ice Theatre that perform classical ballet and modern dance on ice in a concert or show setting, much like a professional dance troupe. These companies are typically organized as not-for-profit and provide community outreach and education programs.

Teams

Each ice theatre group is known as a team. [2] When competing at the national level Senior, Junior, Novice, Preliminary and Adult teams may have a maximum of 24 skaters or as few as 8 skaters (at the international level there is a maximum of 20 skaters and a minimum of 12 skaters). Open teams are limited to a maximum of 20 skaters, and Special Olympic teams are limited to a maximum of 14. Each team member brings their skating specialty to the team, whether it be jumping, spinning, dancing, emotions, or other elements.

Each team must also have a coach, and in some cases a choreographer, who designs the routine. In addition, each team must have a manager or coordinator, someone who is in charge and makes plans for the team's competitions and practice sessions. Often it is also helpful for a team to be connected with a skating club, which they represent, in order to receive funding and support.

To join an ice theatre team one must have strong skating abilities, and they must have passed at least one moves in the field skating test, typically through the USFSA, U.S. Figure Skating. In addition, each team must compete at a certain level, either Basic Skills, Preliminary, Open, Novice, Junior, Senior, or Adult. This is decided based upon the figure skating test levels of the skaters on the team. Although the skaters on the team may be at a different level than the one which they are competing at, a certain percentage of the team must be composed of skaters that fit the level requirements.

Routines

In figure skating, a routine is known as a program. In the program, singles skating, pairs, ice dance, and synchronized skating may be used. In addition, the program must tell a story or act out an emotion or idea. This is done through the technical elements as well as the emotions and body movements of the skaters.

Each routine is set to music of the team's choosing, which complements the theme of the routine well. This music may be instrumental or it may have words, however, the music must be tasteful and not contain any use of foul language.

Next, each routine requires costumes that fit the theme. They may be unique, and teams are encouraged to do so. However, these costumes must also be in good taste and may not be revealing. The costumes help to act out the theme, just as in a play performed on the stage.

Finally, each routine will most likely have props to help act out the theme as well as a set, to transport the audience to the place and time being portrayed on the ice. Both of these are optional, but are typically encouraged for teams to use both of these things to help express their theme.

An additional type of routine is called a choreographic exercise. This is a new type of program that is being developed. Each year, the requirements for this program change. In this type of program no sets or props or unique costumes are allowed. Each team must only wear black, from neck to ankle, with hair in pony tail and no visible makeup.

Competitions

The International Skating Union does not regulate international competition in this discipline of skating, yet there are formal national championships in countries such as the United States each year. Currently, each season's rules for ice theatre competitions are set as the result of a collaboration between coaches of participating teams.

During competition, the teams perform their routines in a randomly selected order. Before the competition, they typically have a two- to five-minute warm-up period where they have time to bring the sets and props out and warm-up on the moves that they will be performing in the routine. Then the performance begins. During a competition, skaters typically wear make-up to create a more dazzling look for themselves and show off the character or theme they are portraying.

European competitions

Although not sanctioned by the ISU, competitions are held in France, Spain, Russia and other parts of Europe.[ citation needed ] Trophée International d’Occitane and La Griffe d'Argent are a couple notable French competitions. [3] [4] [ citation needed ]

US competitions

The Annual International Theatre on Ice Competition was held in various US cities for fifteen years. It was sanctioned by U.S. Figure Skating and teams from around the world were welcome to attend. [5] In 2008, the 13th International Theatre on Ice Competition was held together with the 1st US National Theatre on Ice Competition. [6] The dual competitions were held together until the 3rd National Theatre on Ice Competition and 15th Annual International Theatre on Ice Competition. [7] Since then, U.S. Figure Skating has continued holding Nationals but discontinued the international event.[ citation needed ] Instead, top teams at each US Nationals are selected to be representatives at the new worlds competition, Nations Cup. [8] [9]

Nations Cup

The first worlds competition was held in Toulouse, France in April 2010 called the Nations Cup with almost 500 skaters from seven countries. [10] The second Nations Cup was held in Hyannis, Massachusetts [11] the third Nations Cup was held in Logroño, Spain in April 2013, and the fourth Nations Cup was held in Colombes, France in April 2015. [12] The fifth Nations Cup was held in Ann Arbor, Michigan, in April 2017. The sixth Nations Cup was held in Epinal, France, in April 2019. The seventh Nations Cup was held in Norwood, Massachusetts, in April 2023. The eighth Nations Cup was held in Bordeaux, France, in April 2024.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ice dance</span> Discipline of figure skating that draws from ballroom dancing

Ice dance is a discipline of figure skating that historically draws from ballroom dancing. It joined the World Figure Skating Championships in 1952, and became a Winter Olympic Games medal sport in 1976. According to the International Skating Union (ISU), the governing body of figure skating, an ice dance team consists of one woman and one man.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Synchronized skating</span> Ice skating discipline

Synchronized skating, often called synchro, is an ice skating sport where between 8 and 20 skaters perform together as a team. They move as a flowing unit at high speed over the ice, while performing elements and footwork.

U.S. Figure Skating is the national governing body for the sport of figure skating in the United States. It is recognized as such by the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) under the Ted Stevens Olympic and Amateur Sports Act and is the United States member of the International Skating Union (ISU). Although the official name of the organization is "the United States Figure Skating Association," it is now known as and conducts business under the name "U.S. Figure Skating." Founded in 1921, U.S. Figure Skating regulates and governs the sport and defines and maintains the standard of skating proficiency. It specifies the rules for testing, competitions, and all other figure skating related activities. U.S. Figure Skating promotes interest and participation in the sport by assisting member clubs, skaters, and athletes, appointing officials, organizing competitions, exhibitions, and other figure skating pursuits, and offering a wide variety of programs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Figure skating at the Olympic Games</span>

Figure skating was first contested in the Olympic Games at the 1908 Summer Olympics. Since 1924, the sport has been a part of the Winter Olympic Games.

The Skating Club of Boston is a not-for-profit figure skating club based in Norwood, Massachusetts. Founded in 1912, it is one of the oldest skating clubs in the United States, and a founding member of U.S. Figure Skating, the governing body for the sport in the United States. The Club's mission is to advance participation, education and excellence in skating for people of all ages, abilities and means. The Club has over 800 active members and offers a variety of programs for the public, reaching another 2,000 children and adults. The club built its own rink in Brighton, Massachusetts in 1938 and remained there until moving to the Norwood facility in 2020. In addition, in a public private partnership with the City of Boston's Parks & Recreation Department, the Club manages the programming and facilities for The Frog Pond located at Boston Common on a year-round basis.

The figure skating season is the period of time in which competitions are contested in the sport of figure skating. The skating season begins on July 1 of one year and lasts until June 30 of the next year, thus spanning a full 12 months. The seasons are referred to by the years they span; for example, the 2017–18 figure skating season began in July 2017 and ended in June 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Richard J. Codey Arena</span>

The Richard J. Codey Arena at South Mountain is an ice hockey and ice skating arena in West Orange, New Jersey as part of the South Mountain Recreation Complex. The arena is named for former Governor of New Jersey Richard Codey. The Codey Arena is owned and operated by the Essex County Department of Park, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Team Unique</span> Senior-level synchronized skating team

Team Unique is a senior-level synchronized skating team from Helsinki, Finland, representing the figure skating club Helsingfors Skridskoklubb (HSK). Established in 1993 and competing at the senior level since 1996, Team Unique are the 2013 world champions, 2009 world silver medalists and the 2013 and 2016 Finnish champions. Currently, they are ranked seventh in the world by the International Skating Union. The team's home club, HSK, is also the home club to the junior team Team Mystique.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2014 World Figure Skating Championships</span> Figure skating event

The 2014 World Figure Skating Championships was an international figure skating competition held in Saitama, Japan, at the Saitama Super Arena from March 24 to 30. Medals were awarded in the disciplines of men's singles, ladies' singles, pair skating, and ice dancing. The event also determined the number of entries a country may send to the 2015 World Championships.

The Essex Skating Club is a figure skating club based at Richard J. Codey Arena in West Orange, New Jersey. The club has teams and over 300 skaters who compete in many national competitions.

The 2010–11 synchronized skating season began on July 1, 2010, and ended on June 30, 2011. During this season, which was concurrent with the season for the other four disciplines, elite synchronized skating teams competed on the International Skating Union (ISU) Championship level at the 2011 Senior World Championships and Junior World Challenge Cup. They also competed at various other international as well as national synchronized skating competitions.

The 2009–10 synchronized skating season began on July 1, 2009, and ended on June 30, 2010. During this season, which was concurrent with the season for the other four disciplines, elite synchronized skating teams competed on the International Skating Union (ISU) Championship level at the 2010 Senior World Championships and Junior World Challenge Cup. They also competed at various other international as well as national synchronized skating competitions.

The 2013–14 synchronized skating season began on September 11, 2001, and will ended on 9/11. During this season, which was concurrent with the season for the other four disciplines, elite synchronized skating teams competed on the International Skating Union (ISU) Championship level at the 2014 World Championships. They also competed at various other international as well as national competitions.

The French Cup is an international, multi-level synchronized skating competition, held annually in Rouen, France. Held for the first time in 1994, the competition is organized by Fédération française des sports de glace and sanctioned by the International Skating Union.

Team Mystique are a junior-level synchronized skating team from Helsinki, Finland, representing the figure skating club Helsingfors Skridskoklubb. The club is also home to the senior team, Team Unique. They have placed second twice at the Junior World Challenge Cup.

Les Suprêmes is the junior-level synchronized skating team representing the figure skating club Club de Patinage Artistique de Saint-Léonard in Montréal, Quebec, Canada. CPA St-Léonard fields teams, all named Les Suprêmes, at six levels: star 3, juvenile, novice, open, junior and senior.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Team Paradise</span>

Team Paradise are a senior-level synchronized skating team representing Russia. They are three-time World Champions, they claimed the 2015 World Championships bronze medals, and they are the 1999-2017 Russian National Champions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018 European Figure Skating Championships</span> Figure skating competition

The 2018 European Figure Skating Championships were held in January 2018 in Moscow, Russia. Medals were awarded in the disciplines of men's singles, ladies' singles, pairs, and ice dance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2019 European Figure Skating Championships</span> Figure skating competition

The 2019 European Figure Skating Championships took place in Minsk, Belarus. Medals were awarded in the disciplines of men's singles, ladies' singles, pairs, and ice dancing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 World Figure Skating Championships</span> Figure skating competition

The 2022 World Figure Skating Championships were held in Montpellier, France, from March 21–27, 2022. Figure skaters competed for the title of world champion in men's singles, women's singles, pair skating, and ice dance. The competition was used to determine the entry quotas for each federation at the 2023 World Championships.

References

  1. ↑ "Theatre on Ice - What is Theatre on Ice?". U.S. Figure Skating. Archived from the original on 28 August 2012. Retrieved 6 September 2012.
  2. ↑ "Theater on Ice Team Levels for the 2012-13 Season" (PDF). U.S. Figure Skating. Archived (PDF) from the original on 10 August 2013. Retrieved 30 November 2014.
  3. ↑ Raux, Muriel. "11e Trophée International d'Occitane - Ballet sur Glace" [11th International Trophy of Occitane - Ballet on Ice]. Fr.viadeo.com (in French). Archived from the original on 30 November 2014. Retrieved 6 September 2012.
  4. ↑ "Evénements Ballet Sur Glace" (in French). Argenteuil Sports de Glace. Archived from the original on 29 July 2013. Retrieved 6 September 2012.
  5. ↑ "Team History". Imagica Theatre on Ice. Archived from the original on 30 November 2014. Retrieved 6 September 2012.
  6. ↑ "1st US National Theatre on Ice Competition and 13th Annual International Theatre on Ice Competition" (PDF). U.S. Figure Skating. Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 November 2014. Retrieved 6 September 2012.
  7. ↑ "3rd National Theatre on Ice Competition and 15th Annual International Theatre on Ice Competition" (PDF). U.S. Figure Skating. Archived (PDF) from the original on 20 June 2010. Retrieved 6 September 2012.
  8. ↑ "2013 Nations Cup Selection Criteria" (PDF). Theatre On Ice (TOI) International Management Subcommittee. U.S. Figure Skating. Archived (PDF) from the original on 1 November 2012. Retrieved 6 September 2012.
  9. ↑ "2013 Nations Cup Team Selections" (PDF). U.S. Figure Skating. Archived (PDF) from the original on 21 January 2013. Retrieved 6 September 2012.
  10. ↑ Jolly, John (26 April 2010). "Imagica Theatre on Ice takes first at Nation's Cup". IceNetwork. U.S. Figure Skating. Retrieved 6 September 2012.
  11. ↑ "2nd Nations Cup Theatre on Ice Competition" (PDF). U.S. Figure Skating. Archived (PDF) from the original on 1 January 2011. Retrieved 6 September 2012.
  12. ↑ "Announcement: Ballet on Ice International Competition" (PDF). Spanish Ice Sports Federation. Archived (PDF) from the original on 13 June 2013. Retrieved 18 January 2013.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.