American Ice Theatre (AIT), debuts it’s first production in Chicago titled “Let’s Dance!” 7 p.m. on May 31 at the McFetridge Sports Center. This one-time premier event is fun for the whole family. Tickets can be purchased by visiting the AIT website: http://americanicetheatre.org General Admission is $30 and VIP Seating and Reception with the skaters is $60. Along with the AIT ensemble, the show features work from finalists in the Young Artists Showcase (YAS), an online international figure skating choreography competition. Guest stars include 2014 team bronze medalist Jason Brown, 2011 U.S. Men’s Champion Ryan Bradley, 2013 National Champions Harmony Theatre Company and National silver medalist Paige Ryberg.
AIT is a non-profit “dance on ice” company comprised of accomplished and nationally recognized figure skaters performing with a mission to infuse the art of dance to the ice by presenting contemporary and sophisticated work.
“My goal for American Ice Theatre (AIT) is to be accessible enough that people on the streets of America know and appreciate what ice theatre is as they do for ballet,” AIT Founder and Director Jodi Porter said. “It is a model that can extend the life of a skater and allow for more career opportunities. There are talented national and world level skaters that don’t make the Olympic team yet are beautiful to watch artistically. We are an artistic outlet for skaters to continue to grow and perform.”
“The Young Artists Showcase concept is very revolutionary in the skating world, as it features a global online contest, where choreographers have the opportunity to have their work viewed and reviewed by experts, along with the general skating public,” Olympic figure skating coach Audrey Weisiger said. She founded YAS in 2010 which has now completed four seasons. “I am grateful to Jodi and AIT for their enthusiastic support.”
“AIT was built from my personal education and professional experience in dance and professional figure skating,” Porter said. “I have been actively educating others about the art and processes taken from dance and its translation to the ice. I see this fresh enthusiasm growing tremendously thanks to YAS and artistic skating seems to be a perfect fit here in Chicago.”
“Let’s Dance, a celebration of artistic figure skating” takes the audience on a journey through classical, cultural, and contemporary dance on the ice. American Ice Theatre brings the best of ice and dance together in its inaugural production in Chicago.
The performance is sanctioned by the United States Figure Skating Association and supported by the Windy City Figure Skating Club. For additional information call Jodi Porter (847) 920-4262 or e-mail jporter@americanicetheatre.org.
