NATIONAL THEATRE ON ICE PHOTOS BY KRPHOTOGS PHOTOGRAPHY LLC
Act I of Boston claimed the title in the senior ranks with its “love dance.”
SENIOR Te nine-team field produced some of the ALove is in the air ct 1 of Boston claims top honors by BRENDA GLIDEWELL Act I of Boston performed an elegant free
skate with an abstract love theme en route to the senior title at the seventh annual National Te- atre On Ice (TOI) Competition, June 26–28 at the Dearborn Ice Skating Center in Dearborn, Mich.
Te champions from Te Skating Club of
Boston were one of a record 65 teams (1,060 skaters) — 17 more teams than last year — to compete in one of six divisions: senior, junior, novice, adult, preliminary and open. About 1,500 people filled the bleachers during the weekend competition. Teatre On Ice combines the grace of figure skating with the excitement of theater and dance. Teams consist of between eight and 30 skaters. Act 1 of Boston delivered a “love dance” to
music from Kà by Cirque du Soleil. Te program contained no scenery set; instead, its focus was on skating, creative choreography and performance as an ensemble. “It’s been amazing to watch the team’s free
skate evolve over time, since putting it together back in January,” Act 1 of Boston Coach Timo- thy LeBlanc said. LeBlanc and choreographer Kathryn Mc-
Swain created the free skate as an abstract piece, with the focus being on the ensemble and the goal of “allowing the molecules of the story to take flight toward creating a celebration-of-love concept that evolves through struggle, choices and a journey in life and love.”
18 AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2014 “Te skaters really embraced the abstract
love theme and brought it to life out on the ice,” LeBlanc said. “Te team skated as a true ensem- ble, functioned as a unit and covered the ice as one rather than individuals. Tis effect further complemented the love story and joining of one in love.” LeBlanc added that his team’s victory is es- pecially satisfying when one considers the record number of teams that competed in Dearborn and the overall improved quality of the skating and performances. “It is exciting to see TOI evolve and capture
the audience in the way it did this season,” he said.
New to the event was an exhibition per-
formed by the Special Olympics TOI team from Harmony Teatre Company of Michigan. It was joined in a group number by its junior team mentors. Te inspired program received a stand- ing ovation from the audience and officials.
Teams in all six divisions kicked off the event
with the choreographic exercise (CE) prior to their free skate. Tis segment, in which everyone is dressed in black, includes a defined program encompassing a theme (Memory), a choreographic process: (Retro- grade/Auto-reverse) and a body movement/gesture: (Suspension)
best performances and most emotionally charged routines in the history of the National TOI Com- petition. Harmony Teatre Company of Michigan collected the silver medal with its sobering pro- gram titled “Te Camp.” Skaters told a story of those prisoners of war who were silenced forever and those whose faith, hope and love prevailed over the enemy. Los Angeles Ice Teater repeated as bronze medalists with its “Words” free skate. Te skaters showed how they are able to take hurtful words and transform them into beauty and powerful messages of strength. Te moving performance showcased solid skating and intricate choreogra- phy.
JUNIOR Elaborate set designs, intricate costumes, quality skating and innovative programs were on display throughout the 12-team free skate. Te San Francisco Ice Teatre led the charge with its breathtaking “Crystal Planet” program, winning the junior division and collecting the special award for best original theme and storyline. Te team exhibited the power of living from
the heart of unconditional acceptance and the happiness that exists, especially on the ice. Te routine, intricately choreographed and well-skat- ed, focused on the good versus evil battle over the power of the Crystal Planet. Spectacular cos- tumes and LED lighting on both the costumes and props helped bring the program to life. Fourth after the CE, Harmony Teatre
Company of Michigan earned the silver medal with a stellar free skate. Its routine was an audi- ence favorite, filled with complex choreography, intricate makeup and costumes, creative use of a pirate ship prop and well-executed block foot- work and dance steps. Performing at its first National TOI Com-
petition, Arctic Ice Teatre of the Arctic FSC in Canton, Mich., performed two solid programs to finish third. Its free skate, set to the theme of the circus, delighted the hometown crowd. Te high-energy routine showcased superior skating and creative circus choreography and showman- ship. Te team earned the special award for best adaptation of a known work for this routine.
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