What is “theater on ice”:
Theater on Ice is a form of competitive figure skating that originated in Europe, where it is known as Ballet on Ice. It combines the grace of figure skating with the excitement of theater and dance. Teams consist of between eight and 30 skaters. The skaters work together to tell a story on ice. Programs normally have elaborate props and costuming, as well as intricate choreography.
Ocean State Ice Theatre is the first and only theater on ice team in Rhode Island, and is currently in its fifth season. The team began in 2007 under the direction of Sarah Mirza and the Pawtucket and Providence Figure Skating Club. It practices at the Blackstone Valley Sports Center, in Pawtucket, RI, and is coached by head coach Sarah Mirza, and assistant coach Laura Tashjian.
In 2009, the team traveled to Bensenville, IL, to compete at the 2nd National and 14th International Theatre on Ice Competition. The team took the pewter medal out of 15 teams in the National competition, with their rendition of the musical “Annie.” The team went on to take the gold medal out of 11 teams in the Choreographic Exercise component of the International Competition, in which they skated a powerful and moving performance to the theme of “living together,” based on the Civil Rights Movement. They also took the gold medal in the International Free skate Competition, out of 13 teams. The girls skated their hearts out and did an extraordinary job!
The team’s placement that year at the National Competition qualified them to compete at the first ever World Theatre on Ice Competition in Toulouse, France, in April 2010. They were one of three US novice teams representing the USA at this event. Unfortunately; the Iceland Volcano kept them from competing.
But the team kept their spirits up and set their sight on the 3rd National and 15th International Theatre on Ice Competition in Troy Ohio in June 2010. This year the National Placements were based on both the Choreographic Exercise and freeskate programs. The team won the gold by taking 1st place with their interpretation of the theme “Surprise”, depicting the Beatles rise to fame and the killing of John Lennon and with their dramatic rendition of the Lion King.
During the 2010-2011 season, we had two teams, one at the Preliminary Level and one at the Junior level. The Preliminary team skated to the "Addams Family," and Junior performed "Beauty and the Beast." The Preliminary team won the choreographic exercise component of Nationals and placed third in the freeskate. They took home the bronze medal. The Junior team placed fifth in the first year at this level.
Due to the 2010 National title that the team won in Novice, they were once again qualified to compete at the Nation's Cup (world theatre on ice competition) which was held in April 2011 on Cape Cod. Because the team had qualified at the Novice division, they competed in Novice at the event. The team was absolutely thrilled to win the bronze medal and enjoyed interacting and competing against teams from all over the world!
This year, the team is in its fifth season. It is once again comprised of skaters of all ages and levels. The team will compete at the Open Level and will travel to Cleveland, Ohio, in June for Nationals. Good luck girls!!
Sarah Mirza DiNardo - Head Coach
Sarah began skating at the age of 7. She is a USFS Quadruple Gold Medalist in Freestyle, Moves in the Field, Ice Dancing, and Free Dance. She has also passed her Canadian Gold Dance test, as well as all ten International Ice Dances. Most recently, she skated with ice dance partner Nick Moormann. In 1999, Sarah received the Dudley S. Richards Memorial Award, and in 2008 she received the Diane Brown Memorial Award for excellence in professionalism. Sarah founded Ocean State Ice Theatre in 2007 and has been thrilled to see it grow so quickly. Sarah has a Master’s degree in Elementary Education, and teaches 4th grade when she is not on the ice.
2011
Jr Team
World Bronze Medalists
Bronze at the 2nd annual Nations Cup Theatre on Ice Competiton
Congratulations!
2010
CONGRATULATIONS to Ocean State Ice Theatre for bringing home the GOLD!
June, 2010
2010 International Theatre on Ice (Troy, OH)
Gold Medal Winners - Novice Freeskate
Gold Medal Winners - Choreographic Exercise
