One exquisite art of ice
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 of New York (ITNY) is a dance company committed to developing figure skating as a performing art. Founded in 1984 by Artistic Director, Moira North, ITNY is a non-competitive, artistic outlet for some of the top international figure skaters, with choreography commissions by innovative contemporary dance makers such as Jacqulyn Buglisi, Ann Carlson, David Dorfman, David Parsons, Joanna Mendl Shaw and more.
ITNY is based at Sky Rink, Chelsea Piers, and tours their work to rinks and stages throughout the country. ITNY is also the first figure skating company to receive grants as a dance company from National Endowment for the Arts, New York State Council on the Arts and NYC Department of Cultural Affairs.
For more than 20 years, the Ice Theatre of New York has strived to change the face of figure skating. While emphasizing skating as an art form, ITNY integrates into the sport contemporary dance, music and visual effects. The National Endowment for the Arts, the New York State Council on the Arts, and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs has recognized ITNY as a not-for-profit dance company. Ice Theatre performers all have a background in international competitive figure skating, which in some cases includes the Olympics. Company member Alyssa Stith, a competitive skater until the age of 17, called performing with Ice Theatre a liberating experience.
At present, around 400 people are employed by Holiday on Ice. Each show tours for four or five years, mainly in Europe and South America, but also in new markets like Asia, Middle East and Eastern Europe, bringing millions of fans a unique combination of fantasy and entertainment.
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