By Debbie Adams
Defeat the heat of mid-August at the Lancerlot ice rink with performances of “Mama Mia” by
Theatre on Ice of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Figure Skating Club (VBRFC), featuring the songs of
ABBA.
Theater On Ice (TOI) combines the grace of figure skating with the excitement of theatre and
dance.
Two performances are planned – on August 16 (doors open at 4:30, performance at 4:45) and
August 17 (doors open at 11). Most of the numbers in the program involve groups of skaters,
who also skate solo during the production.
by Virginia’s Blue Ridge Figure Skating Club.
The Theater on Ice program began at the Lancerlot in 2021 as a chance for skaters to learn
choreography, work within a group of all ages and ability levels, and showcase fun, theatrical
programs. It evolved from a very successful “Learn to Skate” program at the Lancerlot and was a
long-time goal of Lancerlot Ice Skating Director Meghan Noga.
The TOI program currently includes about 20 figure skaters, ranging in age from 7-year-olds to
adults. Their coach is Addalai (Addi) Clark, the head figure skating coach for the Lancerlot. She
choreographs the TOI programs and advises skaters on costuming.
Many skaters come from a distance to participate in the club, driving up to an hour for lessons.
They meet/rehearse on most Saturdays, year-round. The Lancerlot is their “home ice.” TOI
usually presents two figure skating performances each year.
VBRFC recently achieved full club recognition and membership in the United States Figure
Skating Association – quite a feat. Not only are they involved in Learn to Skate and Theatre on
Ice at the Lancerlot, but also in figure skating competitions, mainly in North Carolina. Noga says
that one of the goals of the figure skating program is to eventually take part in competitions.
Lauren LaVenture is the president of the skating club and a former skater herself. Her daughter
Kenzie “fell in love with skating” at a friend’s birthday party, started lessons, and has been skating ever since. She is now a freshman at Lord Botetourt. Her mother says in the past Kenzie
participated in other sports but has gradually focused her attention on skating. She has completed
her second full year of competition.
Lauren says the TOI group is “incredibly supportive” of one another and members have “become
great friends.” Even when they are competing against one another, “they are there for each
other.”
Faith Baker, age 13 and an eighth grader at Roanoke Valley Christian School, lives in Fincastle
and travels about 40 minutes to the Lancerlot for lessons. She started out taking private lessons
with Clark. Her first experience on the ice was in downtown Roanoke at the Elmwood on Ice
event at Christmas time 2019. She, also, “fell in love with skating.” They heard there was public
skating at the Lancerlot, and began lessons there.
Her mother, Hayley, says they are basically at the Lancerlot four days a week on the ice. Faith is
in her third year of competition skating and “loves competitions” which have been mainly in
Richmond and North Carolina. The Bakers also described the Virginia’s Blue Ridge Figure
Skating Club as “a tight-knit, supportive group,” even though skaters of many different ages
participate.
Elliana Foutz is another Lord Botetourt freshman in the club. She has been skating for about five
years, beginning with the “Learn to Skate” program with Noga and now takes private lessons
with Clark. Her mother, Amy, is from Minnesota, so ice skating has been a lifelong love of hers.
Elliana has performed in all the TOI shows at the Lancerlot over the years.
Lancerlot.
Amy Foutz says that many of the skaters in the VBRSC started together and “all have a passion
for skating, but they also have fun.”
For more information visit their Facebook page at
https://www.facebook.com/blueridgefigureskatingclubva/.
Tickets for “Mama Mia” are available in advance at the Lancerlot for $5, or $7 at the door.
