You should ask starskate6.0 about some of his experiences auditioning for and skating in shows.

It's great that you have a long-term goal and know what you'd like to do with your skating!

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Yea, I asked him quite a while back, he said "I won't forget" because he was busy at that moment in time, but he did forget, I guess. I messaged him a few days ago also, after finding out his username, but alas, no.
It's okay though.

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My coach was really suprised when I said I would like to do a show, not in a bad way. I have always been quite shy and hated competing as I didnt like people judging me (not very good for a figure skater I know!) But I felt totally different about shows and really enjoy expressing myself in the different types of skating.
As Grace said make sure your are prepared for going away and travelling with a show as it is VERY hard work!
I would love to do more shows now I have left uni but I am gonna do a bit more training on all my stops and getting my footwork faster and tighter!
Good luck if you decide to and remember it is not all about the jumps!

Belle

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I think travelling is a highlight, and of course the experience would be fantastic! I don't think there's anything in the world I would love as much. I haven't done a competition yet, I really doubt that I will do.
I'm starting a program next week and I'm so excited. I'll have to see how I go with that, as to performance etc!

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I think others have hinted at this, and I can only repeat it...it's really not all it's cracked up to be. You barely get paid (and still have to pay for some/most of your hotel, food, and other expenses), you barely get to SEE any of the places you travel to cause a) you've got no money and b) you have no car and no time, and the ice time to practice they give you sucks, so if you're not jumping a lot in the show, you pretty much lose all your skills and stamina. I mean, some people like it, and sure it's an experience. I would never do shows like those, but I have friends who either are right now, or have in the past. It just isn't that great of a deal, in all honesty. And depending on what show you do and what role you get, most people hardly do any real skating...it's mainly background work, unless you are very very good and get a solo spot. Just some thoughts.

It's just something I really really want to do, I can only try it, and if I don't like it, fair enough, but I won't know until then. I think I'd love it.

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I think you won't have a clue whether you'd like it or not until you (1) get your first program and (2) skate in front of people (especially judges). You may find you love it, or you may find it makes you a basket case and you hate skating in front of people. I think it's too early in your skating career to tell. In other words, I'd keep in mind that a long term goal is exactly that: long term. It's the stuff you're doing right now that will determine what you do with your skating. A lot of skaters just getting started think they're going to love competing and testing and skating in front of people, only to discover that they hate it. I'm not saying this is you; I'm just saying you shouldn't get your brain set on the idea of show skating until you've gotten some more experience on the ice.

My 2 cents, fwiw.

True, that's a fair point. I don't think I'll ever have the chance to compete, although I am getting a program, I've chosen my music and I'm starting it on saturday.

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Why won't you get a chance to compete? That's too bad, as it can be lots of fun.

If you've ever read "All the Sundays Yet To Come", it is an eye-opening book about what goes on in some ice shows. It's not a very flattering picture, and what stardust describes jibes very well with what is said in the book.

I agree with skaternum, start off getting your program up and running first (gosh I sound like a software developer) and take it from there.

It sounds like you're all trying to put me off, I know you're not.
I don't think I'll get a chance to compete as I don't know of any competitions for people my level, my age or anything. I don't think my coach has it on his lists for me to compete, and it's kinda recreational.

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When you audition for shows (my brother was in one..just quit as he got fed up of living out of a suitcase and the crappy places you stay) they also take into consideration you competitive career and what tests you've passed. The overseas competitions aren't usually given to rookies or lower level skaters unless they are what you are looking for. You might be hired on, say with Disney, but have no control where you are or what tour you end up on.

There are some people on the tour that end up in chorus that have relatively low tests, but they also had other things going for them like the ability to do a variety of stops (some are hard even for my brother who skated senior nationals), showmanship and body type. for the girls you have to be thin. Not rail thin, but if they have an expensive costume made, they arn't going to make another. Plus, they want people pleasing to the eye.

I would just focus on getting as many tests as I could. If you aren't good at jumping, work on dance.

I hate dance, my jumps are fine.
This all sounds very not good now.

Can you be casted on a show solely based on tests?

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I am glad you realize no one is trying to put you off, even though it could be taken that way.

The real question is do YOU WANT to compete? There are lots of opportunities out there and if you wish to take part in any of them, do not let anyone discourage you.

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Hell yes, I want to compete, but to be honest, I wouldn't have a CLUE about going about it. I really wouldn't.

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When I first decided to compete, I did not know where to begin either, and when I asked my coach, she knew nothing about adult/teen competitive opportunities - only the kid-stream. I had to find it all myself, and I spent a lot of time web-searching, and asking questions. The breakthrough came when I joined an adult/teen session not far from my home (ok so it's an hour and a half away, but that's not far in the grand scheme of things and it's only twice a week....) and met two women who had begun competing in the smaller local events.

Then when I was in France this past summer, I was told about this board, actually by a British skater (thanks Mrs Redboots!!). The people on this board are a great support group. And, as you have already learned, there is no shortage of opinions and advice here. You will get the answers you need.

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Thanks!

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You can't be cast purely on tests. However, many of the shows have national or high level tested skaters. Todd Sand (he skated pairs with Jenni Meno in the US) old partner is skating lead with Disney. Now she was an international competitor.

Honestly, trying to get into the show will be a fun experience, but don't put all your eggs in one basket because odds are sorta stacked against you. It's not impossible and many people get into the show even if they have to skate around as the horse's butt for an entire year.

My suggestion..pass your tests because they will teach you important skills you need to know. The reason I said try dance is bbecause many of the skaters in theshow are doing triples and double axels. Of course some are doing bdoubles. If you don't have those, keeping up with dance will help you develop excellent skating skills.

And another thing..don't be scared to ask your coach. if you are that says a lot about how'd you do on the tour and how'd you be able to negotiate contracts, etc. If you wantto compete talk with your coach. Even if you compete against 7 year olds, at least it will give you an idea of being in front of large crowds and things you do well/need to work on.

I'll consider it. I'll see how my program etc goes, you never know I might just forget the whole thing and just skate as a hobby. It's always fun I suppose.

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If you really really want to do this then you have to do the research. That includes talking with your coach, emailing companies and asking about requirements, trying to improve your skating,making sure you can perform in front of a crowd, etc.

You seem really interested so don't be too discouraged. Keep plugging away and even if you don't get it, at least you can say you tried. My brother had a guy on the tour this year who was in his 40's. He skated when he was younger and decided to come back and skate with the tour. My brother was very impressed that he had the guts to coem back and he did really well. Anything is possible

You do know it's YOUR decision, and yours only, right? A coach is paid to look out for your best interests, teach you good technique, and get you where you want to go. What he's got in his "books" doesn't matter- what matters is what you want to do. Figure it out, decide, and then tell him. It's not a matter of does he think you're good enough, or not, it's...I want to do this. I will do this. Are you the one who's going to get me there or not? If he is, great. If not, MOVE ON. It's your skating, and you get to do whatever you want with it. You keep saying it's recreational, but it sounds to me like the only reason you say that is because you feel you aren't good enough to be entitled to say you wanna do this seriously. Perhaps you don't get enough ice time, or enough money. So perhaps you can't train all that seriously. But that doesn't mean you should act like that is voluntary. If you WANT to train seriously and compete, whether you can right now or not, you should be able to say that it is your goal, and it is what you want. Don't let other people tell you what you can or cannot do. That's YOUR decision.

Hmmm...this I disagree with. I have friends in Disney on Ice. Obviously, it depends what show you are on. But one of my good friends could BARELY do a few doubles- double salchow, double toe, and that was about it. That, and a flying camel. He said after touring with Disney for a year that most people in his show were of his level, and that only one skater in the whole cast even had a double axel. Plus, when I saw him after he'd been on tour for a while, he had LOST his two doubles, because he never skated freestyle. He was the inside of someone's head. The one who had a double axel was a lead, clearly. I've also heard from several skaters who tried out "just for fun" that they didn't even ask you to jump at the auditions! There werre about three different people on three different auditions who told me this. All they asked to see was footwork. I'm guessing it'd be different if they were doing triples, and perhaps they would get separate auditions to try out for lead...but ensemble doesn't even jump in try outs. Also, my friend with the two doubles had NEVER passed a SINGLE test- not even pre-pre. And he was never asked his level. The quality of skating varies from show to show, but most people never do any skating, and you don't need to be a good freeskater to get in these shows. Which is why they're not appealing to most serious skaters to begin with.

Mel, try to find some people who toured with whatever show you wanna tour with. Talk to the ensemble, NOT the leads. Ask about the tour, what they had to do at auditions, what they did on tour, how they lived, etc..etc...Each show is different. But my description of Disney on Ice is accurate for at least a few of the shows they put on, as well as their auditions.

So you think I should be upfront with my instructor and tell him exactly what I want out of skating? Stardust, you're right, I do say it's recreational because I don't feel good enough to say anything else. I want to be able to say "I'm training" instead of "Oh I'm just going skating for a bit"

Also thank you to everyone who has posted so far, the advice is fantastic, thank you.

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I agree that there are many skaters in ensembles that don't jump. He (my brother) submitted a tape beforehand and therefore they knew his skating abilities. The main suggestion i made to Mel was to try her tests to improve her skating skills. Now she doesn't have to take them, but they will give her skills necessary to do footwork and do complicated stops. There are many skaters on the tour that still jump (depends on the tour as some tours have lower skating abilities, etc) and lots end up doing pairs. However, you are right that only leads usually have the jumping parts.

Also remember, your friend was a guy and for females, the competition is a bit more intense. As for competiitons, you have to truy a shwo or competition to see if you can do somethign like that. If you get out there and freeze and get lots of stage fright, then maybe something like that wouldn't be for you. But agian, until you try doing something in front of people, you don't know.

Mel,

Yes, tell your coach what you want. Maybe he'll teach you difficult footwork or different types of stops needed to get onto a tour. He needs to know so he knows exactly what you should be working on.

Go for it!