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6.0: What should skaters wear during an audition?
Judy: Skating attire, both males and females, that allows movement, but not baggy or loose clothing. [We want to see] their body lines when their moving and artistically to see how they move. It is a job interview.
6.0: What "spots" are available?
Judy: Principal positions requiring strong dramatic skills along with
technical abilities for either solo work, or pair work, or ice dance. [Also] ensemble positions, understudy positions, step outs, acrobatic skills, precision skills.
6.0: Do most chorus skaters have to jump?
Judy: [Yes.] That's changed quite a bit. The wonderful thing is that for talented skaters that really want that opportunity to skate, it's there. Those requirements have elevated, each year they get more and more along with even more acting skills.
6.0: Do skaters need to obtain work permits?
Judy: No. Our company applies for, processes and takes care of all permits for all countries. [When providing information to legal representatives] it's a lengthy process, probably even lengthier in past year.
6.0: What type of compensation is offered?
Judy: It's really based on so many factors. It includes benefits. We pay in U.S. dollars everywhere.
6.0: How do you decide what show to assign skaters to?
Judy: We would cast someone appropriately where their strengths would contribute to most. You look for someone who genuinely has a passion for performing.
6.0: Why might you turn someone down?
Judy: I don't know that we've ever done that. We encourage people to audition again. We respond to all auditions, first by letter acknowledging audition and giving them all our contact information and then if there is anything indicating on their audition form that we'd like to see worked on, then we'll give them specifics on that.
6.0: How long should skaters wait before auditioning again?
Judy: I would say if a show comes into your area again, and if we have not had an opening for you, if you're still interested, please come in. Number one, it reinforces their enthusiasm for job and also it gives another performance director a chance to see them.
6.0: Are they minimum height requirements?
Judy: No. Now with creative parts of show, height is not [important]. We have a girl who is 5' 10" and a girl who is 4' 9.5.
6.0: Is six-pound weight range still in effect for skaters, and are Saturday morning weigh-ins still conducted?
Judy: Actually, we do an eight-pound. That probably has evolved really stressing healthy minds and healthy bodies. We have all looks. We no longer do weekly weigh-ins.
6.0: What do skaters pay in terms of "rent?"
Judy: Again, it's all part of benefit package.
6.0: Do you have anything to tell future Disney skaters?
Judy: The one thing that we offer is really travel opportunity combined with skating experience. We have people who have literally seen world, so in that respect it's been an education in itself.
We'd like to thank Judy Thomas for speaking with us. For more information about Disney On Ice, please send your skating resume and a current photo to Judy Thomas, 1313 17th Street East, Palmetto, FL 34221, USA, or call 941 349 4848/941 721 1234.
A national-level figure skater until the age of 17, she began her professional skating career with Walt Disney's World on Ice, touring Europe for six months. Wanderlust semi-satisfied, she returned home to Canada to complete her formal education, concentrating on information technology and journalism. Word Associates was founded by Aimee Beck in 1999 based on the desire to share her experiences with other athletes and health professionals.
