BROOKINGS – Skaters from the Brookings Figure Skating Club will present "Frozen on Ice" during the 26th annual ice show at Larson Ice Center on April 17 and 18. The Saturday performance begins at 7 p.m., followed by a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday.
Discounted ice show tickets are available in advance from club members and at the Hy-Vee customer service counter in Brookings. The discounted prices are $7 for adults and $5 for K-12 students. Preschoolers are free. Tickets will also be sold at the door for an additional $2 per ticket.
The show was originally planned for April 2020 but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The performance will feature 25 skaters, ranging from 4 to 17 years of age, including a special solo performance by the club’s high school senior.
The annual ice show is a partnership between the Brookings Figure Skating Club and the City of Brookings Parks, Recreation, and Forestry Department. Park & Rec offers group lessons each semester. Private coaches are also available to give one-on-one lessons to skaters seeking individualized instruction.
Ice show director and coach Katie Bratberg said, “The skaters have been working very hard for the past several months perfecting their skills that will be showcased during the show. The club has a very talented, hardworking group of skaters that are such a joy to be able to coach.”
When asked what is unique about the Brookings show, Bratberg answered, “Unlike some other skating shows in the area, ours is a production, which means we tell the entire story of Frozen from beginning to end. This show will be exciting for the entire family so make sure to join the Brookings Figure Skating Club as the characters journey from Arendelle trying to save their kingdom from an eternal winter.”
TJ Cass is cast as Grown-up Elsa in the show. When asked why she wanted to skate as Elsa, Cass answered, “I felt a connection to her character. She is a strong, independent person who still sometimes makes mistakes. She was lonely and felt like she had to hide who she really was, but eventually she was able to find herself.” She also noted that Elsa is an older sister just like herself. “I have a younger brother, and I feel like an older sister to the other skaters,” Cass said.
“My favorite part about being in the ice show is spending time with the other skaters and coaches and learning new skills,” said club member Aleah Olson, who is cast as a Townsperson of Arendelle. Her mother, Alyssa Olson, said, “It is really fun to watch skaters become more confident throughout the year and to see their excitement leading up to the show. These kids have dedicated a lot of time and put in a lot of hard work practicing for the show, and it’s exciting to see it all pay off in the end.”
The figure skating club’s graduating senior, Cherish Stern, currently attends Brookings High School. She started skating when she was 8 years old. “I love my skating girls and enjoy all the time I get to spend with them. They are really what makes the activity fun,” said Stern. Next year, she plans to attend South Dakota State University following a pre-med path.
During intermission at each show, concessions will be available. Additionally, a variety of fresh flowers will be available for purchase for those who want to congratulate their favorite skaters with a gift after the performance.
The Brookings Figure Skating Club is dedicated to promoting the sport of amateur figure skating, providing continual education and training opportunities for its members, and instilling good sportsmanship.
The club provides an ala carte approach to recreational and competitive programming to help encourage each skater to achieve his or her own goals in a safe and healthy environment. For more information or to inquire about joining, visit the Brookings Figure Skating Club page on Facebook or email the club’s board of directors at brookingsfsc@gmail.com.
