The annual ice show

My rink, as most rinks that have a figure skating program, has an ice show. The intention is, once a year, to take the time to celebrate the hard work and progress of the skaters. There is a number for each level from tot's to graduating students, beginners to advanced, for each of the five syncro teams, there are solo numbers, duets, an ice dance number, guest skaters and of course the adult number!

The show takes months to prepare. The skating director chooses a theme, assigns an instructor to choreograph each number. The instructors select the music and costumes to go with the theme. The costumes are ordered from dance catalogues or custom ordered at least 3 months in advance, to insure they'll be delivered before the show. Five weeks before the show each group is assigned with an once a week hour to meet and rehearse on ice. The instructor has a choreography in mind but that doesn't always work out so it is adjusted and readjusted.

The week of the show there are lights brought in and a curtain installed and decorated. There is a technical rehearsal, where everything is organized - the changing rooms,  the introductions, the music, the lights, the entrance on and exit from the ice, the finale. The next day there is a dress rehearsal when everything should fall into place. There is a lot of work from the instructors, the parents that volunteer and the skaters.

 The adult number may be the hardest to choreograph because there are different levels of skating ability. Also adults have strong personal preferences and aversions about costumes, music, make up... performing in front of an audience, choreography.

I never watched a rink ice show or small level competition until I did my very own ice show. I didn't really know what to expect. Probably I expected more than it is. While there was a lot of joy and celebration and some very good numbers, there were also plenty of falls and uncoordinated movement.

This year is my fourth ice show. We are rehearsing now and like each year, I have mixed feelings.