What It Takes To Perform In 'Disney On Ice'

This is "Disney on ice." But as you can see, the show is much more than skating. Bryan Santiago: One, two, three and four. Three, turn, five, six, cross, seven, eight. Narrator: We met some of the main artists on the show. Like Nelson Sánchez Leemet, who plays the role of Woody. Maria Starr, who plays Elastigirl. And Nathan Miller and Sophia Adams, who play Aladdin and Princess Jasmine. We went behind the scenes. Nelson Sánchez Leemet: I feel like I'm a gymnast, I'm not going to lie. Narrator: To discover how these athletes push themselves to limits they didn't even know were possible.

Maria Starr: Honestly, six weeks ago, I don't think I could do this, and now I could do it and talk to you. Narrator: This is

what

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in "Disney on Ice." We caught up with the cast and crew of "Disney on Ice Presents: Road Trip Adventures," the brand's newest show, just days before the company embarked on a two-year tour of 67 cities in North America. Cindy Stewart: Take a break. Narrator: The show is created here, at Feld Entertainment Studios in Ellenton, Florida, about 40 miles south of Tampa. Inside the 580,000-square-foot facility, the cast and crew have spent about a year putting the show together, rehearsing and training six days a week, for eight hours a day, on a full-size arena with lights, props and screens.

High-end LEDs. Cindy: We're in our final rehearsals before our first preview show. And we're just tying up loose ends and making last-minute changes. Narrator: On the day of our visit, friends and family of Feld Entertainment employees filled the stadium to witness a special preview

perform

ance of "Road Trip Adventures." Along with familiar faces like Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Goofy, the new show features segments from recent Disney films, including "Aladdin," "Toy Story 4" and "Mary Poppins Returns." Nicole Feld: We partnered with the Disney Company to understand

what

's in their content pipeline. What's new and different, what's coming out. And from there we choose the moments that we think will resonate the most with the audience.

Producer: Do you use these skates for a long time or? María: I never have them more than 11 months. It is as always 10 or 11 months. Bryan: Okay, so “Travel in a little light, fantastic.” The overall issue looks great, but there are three sections I really want to clean up today. Five six seven eight. One two three four five six seven eight. One and two. Narrator: The cast of "Road Trip Adventures" has 53 artists. Bryan: Much better. Narrator: Feld Entertainment declined to share details about their salaries, but did say they receive medical care. Judy Thomas: Most of the skaters here have grown up skating, from toddlers to competitions.

And we really recruit and go out and look for talent through competitions as they advance through the different levels. Bryan: One, two, three and four. Good. So, Nelson, just make sure you have your heels together, lean back, lean forward. Nelson: I was born in the Dominican Republic, so there is no winter, no snow, no big slopes. I didn't even think about figure skating until I was 10, when I moved to Canada. I wasn't really into the competitive side of skating, I was more acting and letting the audience enjoy the performance. So when it got too competitive, I took a step back and watched "Disney on Ice." So I thought, I have to do that, now it's my turn.

And here I am today. Maria: I skated competitively and did so until I graduated high school. And then I applied for “Disney on Ice,” sent in a skating resume and a video of my skating. And they offered me a job. And I was here a month later. And I've been traveling, this will be my tenth year. Nathan Miller: I've actually been skating for about 25 years. When I was a kid, I lived in Oklahoma City and "Disney on Ice" was always on at the state fair. And that was the highlight for me as a kid. And when I was a kid I always wanted to skate alongside Goofy and, I mean, here I am, eight years ago now, and I can still do it.

Oh, it was everything I hoped it would be. It was fun. Sophia Adams: I was just a competitive skater from the United States. I've been training my whole life. I've been to Nationals, I've done it all. But I really wanted to travel, I really wanted to make a living with what I do as a career. I have been with the company for about five years. I have traveled all over the world, on almost every tour possible. But what's also cool about this particular program is that I can actually fly. Narrator: Although the show is called "Disney on Ice," some performers spend most of their time in the air.

In addition to skating, the show features complex aerial choreography. Nathan: Release the arabesque death spiral and then we'll stop here. Narrator: This requires collaboration between the artists and the crew members tasked with operating the cables connected to their harnesses. Danica O'Neill: Many of the people we've met have never flown or done any aerial work before because they are skaters by nature. So where they started and where they are now has grown a lot. So we'll be able to do more the more they feel comfortable and can do. Sophia: So we actually have to have a close relationship with our operator when we learn this process because, you know, there's only so much I can do.

Therefore, you should meet with our operator to give you more slack, less slack and tension. And help me turn and fly. So instead of just working with one partner, you're also working with another partner. Narrator: In addition to aerial work, the show's cast must develop other skills that go beyond skating. Nelson: This is called a summary. And it uses a lot of abs and upper body strength. It really works the back and all those muscles that we never use as figure skaters. But we have to use it now. Narrator: Nelson's upper body strength is tested during the "Mary Poppins" segment of the show.

Nelson: Being able to hold on for so long up there, all my weight is in my hands for the first time. You know, we're used to skating on our own bodies; now it's all upper body. Narrator: The "Mary Poppins" segment also combines feats of upper-body strength with aerial work, which occurs when streetlights suddenly take flight. Nelson: We always have communication; It is the most important part. If something goes wrong, we make some little waves, thumbs down means down, you know, feet like this also means down, like an emergency exit, in case something goes wrong. At first we started low, but the more we started going up, it's definitely a little scary.

Narrator: Not all roles in "Disney on Ice" require the same level of athletic ability. But each part contributes to the overall experience. Bryan: Especially figure skaters, it's a very lonely sport. We do not grow by always working with a large group. Make them see the bigger picture, let them know that you are not alone on the ice, but that you are part of a huge unit that performs in front of thousands of people. So, it's like turning the mindset of an everyday figure skater into the mindset of a professional athlete. They have developed a very close bond, have become very good friends and support each other.

It's a really good group of people we have here. Nelson: When I go out and see the audience react so well to us, and all these families come together and share such a beautiful moment, it gives me so much joy. It makes me miss my family, but they are proud of me. I know they are proud of me.