An Interview With Disney On Ice Principal Skater Sophia Adams
Tonight when Disney On Ice Presents Passport to Adventure opens at Oracle Arena in Oakland, one of the skaters that I’m most excited to see take to the ice will be Sophia Adams, who brings Ariel to life in this magical show. Today I had the chance to sit down and talk to this bubbly performer and find our a little more about her life on the road as a performer as well as her skating career.
A competitive skater since a very young age, Sophia first discovered a love for skating at the tender age of 5 when her parents first took her skating for fun. The Anaheim native fell in love with it from the very first moment and by the time she was 6 years old, found herself in the world of competitive skating which led her twice to the U.S National Championships before trading in her competitive skates and lacing up her pixie-dusted ones which she has worn since she joined the Disney On Ice cast in 2014.
I asked Sophia why she decided to make the switch from the competitive skating world to the world of performing.
“After so many years, I had finally gotten to a place where I knew that I still wanted to skate, but physically I knew I couldn’t keep competing. I happened to know the choreographer of many of the Disney on Ice shows who encouraged me to audition and went to Colorado Springs to try out for the show and was lucky enough to be accepted on my first try. I thought I would work my way through the ranks and start in the chorus, never, imagining that my first role would be as one of the principal skaters and that my first tour would take me to Eastern Europe.”
How did the world of skating as a performer differ from the life of competition that she had always known?
“While I loved competing at the time, I knew that I was at a point in my life that I wanted to try something new and I just wanted to have fun with skating. Even though the spotlight is completely on you whether you are competing or a part of a show, it totally is a different kind of performance where every night I get to transform and become the character, instead of all eyes being on ‘Sophia’ the skater. I feel like my biggest strength is my ability to perform rather than skate. Therefore, I enjoy performing for the audience and making them feel good.”
After skating as Elsa for the past few years. what was it like to have the chance to perform as Ariel in Passports To Adventure?
“While I loved Elsa, she was nothing like me. Elsa and the world of ‘Frozen’ are a part of the kid’s of today’s childhood while ‘Little Mermaid’ was what I grew up with. Ariel is spunky like I am but still shows a beautiful and graceful side plus with Ariel, I have the chance to skate with a partner and pair skating has opened a whole new outlet for me. I have the best partner in the world and he is a joy to skate with each and every night.”
What is Sophia’s favorite part of being a part of Disney on Ice?
“Absolutely it is hearing the reaction of the audience, especially the kids. When we start the ‘Little Mermaid’ segment of the show, it is Ariel’s sisters that are on the ice first and you can hear all of the kids asking where Ariel is and then to be able to hear the squeals of delight when Ariel finally appears, there just is nothing better than that. At the end of the day, it is all about bringing the audience into the show and making them a part of it.”
If she had one piece of advice for others that dream of following in her skating footsteps, what would it be?
“If you want to perform then do it. Do not let anyone stop you and when you do it, do it with everything you’ve got, every time. You have to come in with the attitude and mind set that lets you be willing to do anything. If you have that, then the world is yours.”
Tonight in Oakland, Sophia Adams will take to the ice at Oracle Arena in Oakland with Mickey and Minnie as they join together to take audiences on a sightseeing adventure created for the entire family to explore the African Pride Lands with Simba, Timon and Pumbaa, voyage deep under the sea to Ariel’s mystical under water kingdom, and tour London with Peter Pan and Wendy before flying to Neverland to meet up with Tinker Bell. Plus, travel to Arendelle for an extraordinary adventure with sisters Anna and Elsa, rugged mountain man Kristoff and everyone’s favorite, huggable snowman Olaf, as they journey to discover that true love is the most magical power of all.
Disney On Ice presents Passport to Adventure features an international team of award-winning figure skaters, high-energy choreography and a colorful set that captures all four unique worlds. Upbeat music, lovable characters and unforgettable moments make this an experience families will cherish forever!
O A K L A N D
WHEN: Wednesday, October 26 – Sunday, October 30
Wednesday, Oct. 26 7:00 PM
Thursday, Oct. 27 7:00 PM
Friday, Oct. 28 7:00 PM
Saturday, Oct. 29 11:00 AM, 3:00 PM & 7:00 PM
Sunday, Oct. 30 1:00 PM & 5:00 PM
WHERE: ORACLE Arena – 7000 Coliseum Way, Oakland, CA 94621
TICKETS: Ticket prices start at just $20! Special Opening Night discount tickets available for only $15 each (not valid for VIP/Front Row levels) plus we have an extra discount code just for you. Now you can save 25% off Disney on Ice Passport to Adventure when you use our speical promo code MOM2.
All seats are reserved; tickets are available for purchase online at Ticketmaster.com, charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000 or visit the ORACLE Arena Box Office.
*tickets prices are subject to change; additional venue/ticketing fees may apply
Tickets for Disney On Ice presents Passport To Adventure, along with the full line up of Disney On Ice productions for the 2016-2017 season, go on sale July 7, 2016. Visit http://presale.disneyonice.com for the shows and dates coming to your hometown.
For more information, please visit www.DisneyOnIce.com or follow us on these social media platforms:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/DisneyOnIce
Twitter: @DisneyOnIce #PassportToAdventure
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Instagram: @DisneyOnIce
Don’t miss Disney On Ice Presents Passport to Adventure when it skates into Northern California at Oracle Arena in Oakland starting tonight.
