Volume 4, Issue 3 - August 1998
25 Most Influential Names in Figure Skating, 1997-1998
What kind of skating programming do we see when we turn on the
television and what do we think about it? Who do we enjoy watching and
why? What shows did we shell out our hard earned money to go to and who
was behind bringing them to town? These are all factors that go into
being influential. For fans to sit back and enjoy a great show, be it
on television or live, someone had to envision it, someone had to
produce it, skaters had to skate, and a choreographer put it all to
music.
Moira North - United States
Founder and Director, Ice Theatre of New York
Moira North is one of the founders of the ice theatre concept, artistic
ensemble skating. The idea she helped introduce in 1984 has spawned
such companies as The Next Ice Age, Seattle Ice Theatre, National Ice
Theatre of Canada and City of Angels Ice Theatre.
"I think this honor is a great endorsement of the ice theatre
movement," North said about her selection to the 25 Most Influential
list. "There are these companies developing that are not competitive
that are wanting to create ensemble skating like dance companies. I
think that is a very healthy and positive direction within the
performing arts direction of what is possible."
North has also been successful in introducing skating into areas not
previously explored. She was the driving force behind the Montreal
Fashions on Ice show, now in its third year. She is an artist with a
practical vision, and she has spurred creativity in others around the
world.