American Ice Theatre presents "Let's Dance" featuring Olympian Jason Brown

RE: Olympic Fever: Team Bronze Medalist JASON BROWN to perform with Chicago’s American Ice Theatre



Chicago, Illinois ---- American Ice Theatre (AIT), a new contemporary ice dance company in Chicago, is pleased to announce its spring concert “Let's Dance!” 7 p.m. on May 31 at the McFetridge Sports Center. This one-time premier event is fun for the whole family. Tickets can be purchased by visiting the AIT website: http://americanicetheatre.org General Admission is $30 and VIP Seating and Reception with the skaters is $60. Along with the AIT ensemble, the show features work from finalists in the Young Artists Showcase (YAS), an online international figure skating choreography competition. Guest stars include 2014 bronze medalist Jason Brown, 2011 U.S. Men's Champion Ryan Bradley, 2013 National Champions Harmony Theatre Company and US novice silver medalist Paige Rydberg.

AIT is a non-profit “dance on ice” company comprised of accomplished and nationally recognized figure skaters performing with a mission to infuse the art of dance to the ice by presenting contemporary and sophisticated work. 

“My goal for American Ice Theatre (AIT) is to be accessible enough that people on the streets of America know and appreciate what ice theatre is as they do for ballet,” AIT Founder and Director Jodi Porter said. “It is a model that can extend the life of a skater and allow for more career opportunities. There are talented national and world level skaters that don’t make the Olympic team yet are beautiful to watch artistically. With all of the criticism that competitive figure skating gets for its lack of artistry, we are definitely an alternative.”  

“The Young Artists Showcase concept is very revolutionary in the skating world, as it features a global online contest, where choreographers have the opportunity to have their work viewed and reviewed by experts, along with the general skating public,” Olympic figure skating coach Audrey Weisiger said. She founded YAS in 2010 which has now completed four seasons. “I am grateful to Jodi and AIT for their enthusiastic support.” 

Porter, (Kenilworth resident) whose history includes coordinating performances at the 2002 Winter Olympics, US Figure Skating Nationals (SLC), Ballet San Jose, San Jose Sharks Hockey game intermissions, and opening of San Francisco Union Square Ice Rink, founded AIT 10 years ago in the San Francisco Bay Area. Relocating to Chicago in 2011, this season established the company’s home residency at McFetridge Sports Center where the company will conduct rehearsals and training.

“AIT was built from my personal education and professional experience in dance and professional figure skating,” Porter said. “I have been actively educating others about the art and processes taken from dance and its translation to the ice. I see this fresh enthusiasm growing tremendously and seems to be a perfect fit here in Chicago.” 

“Let’s Dance, a celebration of artistic figure skating” takes the audience on a journey through classical, cultural, and contemporary dance on the ice. American Ice Theatre brings the best of ice and dance together in its inaugural production in Chicago. 

 The performance is sanctioned by the United States Figure Skating Association and supported by the Windy City Figure Skating Club.  For additional information call 

Jodi Porter (847) 920-4262 or e-mail jporter@americanicetheatre.org.



 



 -AIT-







LISTING







WHO: American Ice Theatre presents



WHAT: “Let’s Dance”



WHEN: Saturday, May 31st at 7:00pm



WHERE: McFetridge Sports Center, 3843 N California Ave, Chicago, IL

WHY: A chance to see Chicago’s premiere professional ‘dance on ice’ company presenting Olympian Jason Brown and National Champion Ryan Bradley.

TICKETS: $30 with special VIP seating and reception at $60



HOW TO BUY: www.americanicetheatre.org

Photos: AIT Company, photo by Michael Kass / Jason Brown, courtesy of Marla Brown