Ice theatre
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[edit] What is Ice Theatre?
Ice Theatre (or theatre on ice) is a branch of figure skating which merges the technical jumps and spins with unique choreography, ice dancing, pairs moves, synchronized skating, and theater in order to tell a story or act out an emotion or idea. It is a relatively new branch of figure skating, but it is also growing quickly. Ice Theatre can be enjoyed by the youngest to the oldest and brings out the more artistic side of figure skating.
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 Ice Theatre of New York that perform modern dance choreography on ice in a concert or show setting, much like a professional dance company.
[edit] The Teams
Each ice theatre group is known as a team. Each team may be comprised of a maximum of 30 skaters, or as few as 10. Each team member brings there skating specialty to the team, whether it be there jumping, spinning, dancing, emotions, or other tricks.
Each team also must have a coach, and in most 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.
In order to join an ice theatre team one must have strong skating abilities, and they must have passed atleast one figure skating test, typically through the USFS, United States Figure Skating Association. In addition, each team must compete at a certain level, either 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 comprised of skaters that fit the level requirements.
[edit] The Routines
In figure skating, a routine is know as a program. In ice theatre, each branch of figure skating must be represented. This includes, singles skating, pairs, ice dance, and synchronized skating. 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 compliments 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.
[edit] Competition
The International Skating Union does not yet regulate international competition or hold championships in this discipline of skating, nor are there yet formal national championships in countries such as the United States. 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 compete, 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.
After all the teams have performed, the judges rank each team in the technical column on a zero to six point scale, as well as in the artistic column on a zero to six scale. The team with the most amount of first place marks wins. In a typical competition there are anywhere from two to fifteen teams in one category.
Each year in June there is the Ice Theatre International competition, which teams throughout the world are welcome to attend. The reigning two-time international senior champion is Act I of Boston. There are also competitions held in the USA, France, Spain, and other parts of Europe.
