Ice, Camera, Action: 2007 Spring Ice Show

Where: Ames/ISU Ice Arena, 1507 Gateway Hills Dr.

When: 7 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday

Cost: $8 in advance, $10 at the door

Tickets are available at the Ames/ISU Ice Arena or by phone at 232-3932.

There’s more to figure skating than the uptight, rigidly scored competitions you see in the Olympics. It can also be a lot of fun.

The Ames Figure Skating Club seeks to prove this point with “Ice, Camera, Action,” its 13th annual spring ice show.

The show consists of 27 different numbers, inspired by classic songs of stage and screen.

“It resembles Broadway in theme, and it’s also inspired by movies,” said Tom Reis, president of the Ames Figure Skating Club.

Some of the classics-inspired numbers in the show include “Bye Bye Birdie,” “My Favorite Things” and “Yellow Submarine.” The adult club members get a chance to shine in a “Blues Brothers” piece, and an interpretation from “Wicked” provides a modern twist.

Most of these are group performances, drawing on a pool of 62 club members. Skaters are selected for each number based on age and skill, and the show’s nine choreographers direct them.

Unlike a traditional figure skating show, the choreography is intended to complement the music, not highlight the skill of the skaters.

“It’s a different kind of perfect,” said Rebekah Reis, student in liberal arts and sciences-open option, who has been skating for 11 years. “[The audience] really want to see you out there having fun.”

In contrast to this more accessible, informal style, there are also 11 solo numbers during the show, featuring the club’s top skaters. Each soloist works with a private coach to assemble his or her routine. These solos give the higher-level skaters a place to showcase their talents outside of a formal competition.

“This is a chance to prove to my family and friends that I actually have been working on stuff all year,” Rebekah said, laughing.

“I’m getting up at 5 a.m. for a reason.”

Rebekah plans to continue skating and coaching while in college, as well.

Other work for the show – such as scenery and prop construction, ushering and running dressing rooms on show nights – is handled by club members and friends.

“If we didn’t have dedicated volunteers, our club would fall apart,” Tom said.

Rebekah emphasized that the show is meant to be accessible, and that anyone can appreciate it.

“We do have lives outside of skating,” she said. “We do other sports – we’re just everyday people.”

Traci Barr, senior in health and human performance, has a slightly different perspective.

As a coach, she balances the responsibility of choreographing three group numbers, as well as some solos, with her second major, finance.

“I’m just up late,” Barr said. “And I’m here at 5:45 a.m.”

Having skated for 15 years and coached for four, Barr has the technical experience she needs for the show. A change for her, however, has been moving from skating in the show to helping run it.

“When I was in the show, I just listened to people,” she said. “Now I have to come up with ideas on my own. It’s a lot harder.”

After graduating from Iowa State in December, Barr plans to keep coaching while studying for her master’s degree at Simpson College in Indianola.

“I don’t want to give it up,” she said. “I enjoy it too much.”