Our Theater and Artistry Club is aimed toward skill-building in artistry and performance.  Skaters who are seeking ensemble opportunities as well as a chance to improve their expression on the ice in solos can benefit from this class.  We offer a range of opportunties for our skaters to strengthen their skating through improved body motion, expression on the ice, and even make up techiques.
 

Starting Thursday, October 4, we are launching our Theater and Artistry Club, held 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. according to the schedule at the bottom of this email. The price of the club is $295 for the year and includes:
 

• 18 on-ice classes, either at the HPA or Giant Center, coached by Sarah Dower.  The group will work on the USFSA Theater and Artistry in Motion Badges.  We are  hoping to bring in Paula Wagner (creator of AIM) in the spring to work with this class (date TBD). 
• A Field trip to New York City on Saturday, December 8. The group will see the Winter Holiday Show at Riverview State Park in NY, with performances by Ice Theater of NY (ITNY) cast, the Skyliners Synchro team, and Figure Skating in Harlem. (We hear Santa will also be there). 
• ALSO--we are working to bring ITNY coaches down to Hershey for an Edges class sometime this season.   Cost of an Edges clinic is included in the Theater and Artistry fee. We will like have two level, for lower and upper level skaters based on tests passed. 
• A Stage Makeup class held by Lark Theatre Studio where we will practice both regular solo performance makeup AND character makeup.  Lauren Grove of Lark is a 15 year performing arts instructor and an award-winning director. 
• An "Expressions" Workshop with Lark Theatre Studio to learn to use our body and face in projecting emotion into our skating. 
• Another theater dance and expression workshop to be determined. 
• The group will perform a number at our December Holiday Show (Dec. 18) and at our Spring Recital. 

How much fun is this?  

This "Club" is open to all ages, junior and adult.  Skaters should be finished their badge levels and currently at Freestyle 1 and up.  Full members and affiliates are eligible to participate.

Online registration will be posted in early October.  Questions can be directed to: Audrie Schaller  hersheyfigureskate@gmail.com

Theater and Artistry Club – Thursdays 4:30-5:30pm

Theatre On Ice uses all aspects of figure skating to incorporate a theme, emotion or story, enhanced by music. It is a package that includes five dimensions:

• Theme
• Music/Sound
• Choreography/Skating movements
• Performance/The rapport between the skaters and/or sub-groups of skaters
• Costuming, props and/or scenery.

When in competition, judges look for the performance to transcend the literal and to create emotion. A good Theatre On Ice program also looks at all the dynamics of figure skating: Quality of gliding and edges, speed, ease and amplitude of movements. It must also look for the proper treatment of groups, and for a good variety in the use of the different elements of skating. The quality of edge, speed, ease and flow of movement should enhance the performance and there should be a balanced incorporation of groups.  The choreography should be able to stand alone, and the music, costumes and scenery should be used to enhance the overall performance. 

We don't anticipate competing this year, but rather using the elements of Theatre to have fun and enhance our skaters' other programs (but you never know). 

But nationally, Theatre on Ice involves nonqualifying competitions at the Learn to Skate level, all the way up to qualifying competitions are the Preliminary , Intermediate, Novice, Junior and Senior  levels, as well as in Adult and Special Olympics levels.  Teams who are competing must have 8 or more skaters (number depends on the level).