By Laura Erickson, editor
© 2012 – Muscogee Moms LLC, www.muscogeemoms.com and www.lagrangemoms.com
LaGrange Moms recently had the opportunity to interview Cindy Stuart, choreographer for the Disney on Ice production of Mickey and Minnie’s Magical Journey which will appear at the Columbus Civic Center April 26-29. The Los Angeles native went from lacing up her first pair of skates at six years old to competing nationally as a teen. The talented skater turned professional at just 17 years old and joined the Ice Follies and Holiday on Ice as a principal skater. Little did she know that the Ice Follies would be purchased by Feld Entertainment and would go on to become the hugely popular Disney on Ice.
She has been principal choreographer for Disney On Ice presents Mickey & Minnie’s Magical Journey, Disney On Ice presents Disney/Pixar’s Finding Nemo, Disney On Ice presents a Disneyland Adventure, Disney On Ice presents Princess Wishes, Disney On Ice presents Let’s Celebrate!, Disney On Ice presents Disney•Pixar’s Toy Story 3, Disney On Ice presents Treasure Trove and Disney On Ice presents Dare to Dream. She was also the skating choreographer for another ice spectacular produced by Feld Entertainment, Disney’s High School Musical: The Ice Tour.
Stuart’s additional choreography credits include creating routines for Katarina Witt, Olympic Bronze medalist Joannie Rochette, World and Olympic Champions Xue Shen and Hongbo Zhao and Olympic Champions Jamie Salé and David Pelletier. Most recently, Stuart was a two time nominee for the 2010 Paul McGrath U.S. Figure Skating/PSA Choreographer of the Year Award.
LM: What made you decide to pursue skating through competition and then professionally?
Cindy: I saw an ice show at 8 years old. The female soloist was on center ice skating around in her flowing dress, and I just knew that I wanted to be a skater, which led to my career as a choreographer.
LM: Leaving home at 17 to join the Ice Follies must have been overwhelming. What was it like?
Cindy: It was a big experience for a young girl, but the first time I walked backstage in the arena to the area where the props were set up, I knew I was home. I had never had that perspective from backstage before, but when I did, I felt this wave rush over me. I thought this is it. I’m here. This is what I am going to be doing for the rest of my life.
LM: What led you to go from skating to choreography?
Cindy: I worked with Olympic gold medalist Robin Cousins on several choreographic collaborations. I started thinking about it then. Whenever I turned on music and closed my eyes, I would see skating and movement.
LM: What is a typical week like with Disney on Ice?
Cindy: During the six-week rehearsal period when we are putting together the show, we rehearse six days per week. Those days can be pretty long. They start at 8:30am and can run until 8pm or 9pm. It’s almost 12 hour day for six days a week until we open.
LM: How do you prepare for each show?
Cindy: To prepare for a production, I get together with the director and my assistant and we plan out the choreographic segments of the entire show in advance so that we are able to teach the routines to the performers as quickly as possible during rehearsals. We design the choreography in Los Angeles about a month and a half before we get to rehearsals in Lakeland, FL. That involves mapping out patterns as well as creating and videotaping choreography for each and every skater in the show.
LM: What is the most difficult aspect of being a professional skater?
Cindy: I think being a professional skater, much like being a dancer, takes a toll physically on the body after a certain amount of time. Not just because the body ages, but because there are injuries. The physical demands of skating are very difficult. Skating looks effortless, but it really requires a lot of stamina from the performers.
LM: What is the funniest thing that has ever happened during a tour?
Cindy: I don’t know if I can pinpoint the funniest thing. When I toured I had a blast, it was so much fun. I’ve overslept, missed a train and things like that. One of the funniest things that happened to me was that the strap to my costume broke, and I had to skate around holding up the strap to finish the routine.
LM: What is the most advanced maneuver you choreograph for the show?
Cindy: Probably some of the pair skating tricks. They can be dangerous. Also in Mickey and Minnie’s Magical Journey, there is a section with Lilo and Stitch that required me to learn hula dancing, because Lilo wants to be a hula dancer. I took hula lessons from a hula teacher so I could incorporate real hula and not just fake the moves. All of the movements in hula are connected to words, and they are always telling a story that relates to Hawaiian nature. That was a very interesting process and a challenge to learn and translate to ice.
LM: Since you travel so much, are you able to see your family very often?
Cindy: I see my family on holidays. I’m based in Los Angeles, and my family lives just two hours away in San Diego. I also have nephews that I see often, and my sister lives in Long Beach. My family is all on the west coast, so it is not that hard to keep in touch.
LM: What are your plans for retirement?
Cindy: I also teach private clients here in Los Angeles, and I know some skating coaches who work into their 80’s. As long as you keep moving, there is the potential to keep teaching forever. Retirement feels so far away right now, but perhaps I’ll end up somewhere in wine country.
LM: What advice would you give to kids who are considering professional skating as a career?
Cindy: I think the most important thing is to learn as much as you can from different disciplines. For instance, go take a dance class, go to the theater, take pilates, take ballet. It is so much more than just skating that creates a skater and a performer.
If You Go: What: Disney on Ice Presents Mickey and Minnie’s Magical Journey When: Thursday, April 26 at 7 p.m.; Friday, April 27 at 10:40 a.m. and 7 p.m.; Saturday, April 28 at 2:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.; and Sunday, April 29 at 2 p.m. Where: Columbus Civic Center
Cost: Ticket Prices start at $11 and go up to $40 per person. Tickets can be purchased at the Columbus Civic Center Box Office, located at 400 4th Street; online at www.TicketMaster.com or by calling 800-745-3000.
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