Renowned coach and choreographer Rohene Ward returns to his performing roots with Ice Dance International (IDI), currently on a 14-city tour, ‘SOAR!,’ across the U.S. The company performs at SkyRink at Chelsea Piers on March 5. Among the ensemble pieces being performed is an intense and uplifting piece created by Ward, “Emotional Seasons.”
“I feel very grateful and very blessed that we have this opportunity,” said Ward. “[IDI executive and artistic director] Doug Webster reached out to me last year if I would choreograph a piece for the ensemble, which was a surprise to me because I’ve never really done a lot of work with group numbers.”
Ward, who has choreographed for two-time Olympian Jason Brown, said it was challenging to conceptualize the number. IDI includes top-level skaters performing in group pieces. Among the current cast is World and Olympic Champion Gabriella Papadakis, two-time U.S. Champion Alissa Czisny, and World Junior Champions Oona and Gage Brown.
(Credit: David J. Murray/Cleareyephoto.com)
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While the creative process was stressful, the time in Sun Valley, Idaho last summer to choreograph the piece, proved soulful as it helped Ward fall back in love with skating. The beautiful natural surroundings inspired his vision. The 17-minute piece is performed by eight skaters, including Ward. He described the first part as reflective of trauma and letting go and the second part shows renewal and beauty.
“It’s one thing to create a piece on people, it’s another to create and skate in the piece,” Ward said. During the choreography process, Webster skated his part so Ward could see what was working and what wasn’t. “Now that the piece is done, everybody loves it.”
Having spent the past few years busy with coaching and choreographing for other skaters, including current competitors, this tour refreshes Ward’s performance skills. Instead of his usual non-stop summer coaching schedule, he took some time off and channeled his energy positively, which was liberating.
Ward is grateful to be visible on the ice as a man of color in a sport that doesn’t have a lot of diversity. “God gave me this gift and there is no better way of using it than sharing your stories and your feelings with the world,” he said. “I’m taking people on a journey to feel something.”