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Dream job: figure skater

Written by
Sofiana Ramli
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Freddy Allain, 31
Performer for The Wonderful World of Disney on Ice

How did you develop a passion for figure skating?

My dad wanted me to be an ice hockey player, so he built a rink outside our house for me to skate. But I saw figure skating on TV and that’s what I really wanted to do. When my parents saw me do twirls, they immediately signed me up for lessons.

You play Aladdin in The Wonderful World of Disney on Ice. How do you get into character?

I pick out the character’s traits when I watch a Disney movie and think about how I’d act that out. As soon as I’m on the ice and there’s a spotlight on me, I feel like a part of show and believe that I am him.

Do you have any pre-show rituals?

We have to show up an hour early to do our warm-ups. I’ll also do a few mental preparations since my performance usually involves jumps and lifting my partner.

Take us through a typical day at work.

I think of it as a week rather than a day. We go to a new city for each show and we get a couple of days to test out the ice because each rink is different. Some might be smaller, while others can be really cold. Then we go on to perform on the weekends, which sometimes involve three shows in one day.

What’s the most challenging number to perform?

Group numbers are hard to remember because there could be up to 30 people on the ice. So we have to be very precise. We usually have two weeks to learn the different choreographies and ensure that everyone’s in sync.

What are the perks of your job?

I used to be a competitive skater, which was very nerve-wrecking. Now, I get to perform every day for a live audience, and it’s just all about having fun! I get to travel and work with my friends, too.

Don't miss The Wonderful World of Disney on Ice at Singapore Indoor Stadium from Mar 15-19. 

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