Ice Theatre to Train at Arena for Third Straight Year
For the third consecutive year, a premier ice dance ensemble will spend two weeks training at the Jamestown Savings Bank Ice Arena. Ice Theatre of New York members will be in Jamestown from Aug. 15 to Sept. 4 for its 2004 Summer Residency program, preparing for its winter schedule.
The training period will be capped with a public performance showcasing the company's program. ''Once again, the Skating Academy, Chautauqua Ice and the Jamestown Skating Club are proud to host the nation's finest ice dance ensemble for their summer residency,'' said Kirk Wyse, co-director of the Wyse and van den Berg Skating Academy.
The summer residency in Jamestown is only one of several events on the Ice Theatre's 2004 calendar. In October, the theatre will host its 20th Anniversary Gala in New York City to commemorate the organization's founding by Moira North in 1984.
The 2004 winter home season begins in December, while the 2005 New Works and Young Artist Series and 2005 Concert Series at the Rink at Rockefeller Plaza will take place from January through March. Paddy Kennedy, Ice Theatre spokeswoman, only recently joined the Ice Theatre and hasn't been to Jamestown yet, but said Ice Theatre officials look forward to returning to Jamestown because of their past residency programs. ''They've really enjoyed it in Jamestown,'' she said. ''The arena is beautiful and they really like the alliance with Kirk and (Lenel van den Berg) at the Skating Academy. We have, on occasion, been able to use as apprentices some skaters from the Jamestown area.
A big part of Moira North's dream was community outreach. Judy Blumberg, five-time national dance champion and company ensemble director, will join with David Liu, Olympic skater and professional dancer; Katherine Healy, skater/prima ballerina; and Heather Harrington, choreographer, to develop the New Works Series for the upcoming year. Several apprentices will join the company during the residency program to participate in the company's training program as understudies and performers. There will also be special workshops for area skaters, an experience that Wyse says benefits younger skaters. The visit also coincides with the annual Skate Chautauqua competition from Aug. 19 to 21. ''There is an economic benefit for downtown,'' Wyse said. ''Skaters from throughout the tri-state region will travel in to observe the Ice Theatre work and to work with the performers in private lessons.
Their presence is another star in the crown here in downtown Jamestown. It brings us - along with our skaters, the regional competition we hosted last year, Skate Chautauqua and the upcoming Junior National Figure Skating Championships - some national exposure on the national figure skating scene.'' Tying into Skate Chautauqua is also a benefit for the Ice Theatre, according to Ms. Kennedy, because of the number of knowledgeable figure skating officials coming into Jamestown as well as the number of skaters who can partake in workshops before and after the competition.
The Jamestown Savings Bank Ice Arena is also a key reason the Ice Theatre will make a return trip to Jamestown. ''To be able to take the Ice Theatre to a place with such a modern skating academy and splendid arena is a really important part of the equation,'' Ms. Kennedy said. ''There are a lot of skaters there with Skate Chautauqua and it's one of those things that bring in a lot of people with skating know-how. It's a natural place for them to do it.''
The residency program is made possible through grant agreements with the Gebbie, Johnson and Ralph C. Sheldon foundations with continued financial support expected from the state Council on the Arts. The public is also welcome to watch the workshops and rehearsals. ''We're very grateful for the support of the local foundations,'' Wyse said. ''The support of the local foundations has cemented in the Ice Theatre's mind the fact that we want them here. I think it's important, the fact that the community is saying we have this wonderful facility and we want you here. Believe me, they wouldn't be coming back for a third season if they didn't love it here.''