
Ice Dance International
Where Skating Becomes Art
Ice Dance International
Where Skating Becomes Art
Where Skating Becomes Art
Where Skating Becomes Art
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Cover Image By David J. Murray ClearEyePhoto.com
By Karen Campbell
It’s all part of the mission to bring the artistry of ice dance more into the public eye. “The opportunity to tour is helping us build a bridge from sport to art,” says IDI founding artistic director Douglas Webster. “I just want people to see and feel the beauty of skating.
It’s about getting it to audiences everywhere.”
West Orange Life/MyPaperOnline.com
By Megan Roche
· “One stellar performance! Emotional and stirring! A massive hit!”
By Jeanne Denizard
· “Sold out! [A] historic performance in Boston”
· “…jaw-dropping…from searing romance to lighthearted fun…”
· “Stirring…passionate…elegant”
· “Captivating and extraordinary ice dancers”
By Susan Saccoccia
· “A thrilling program…Ice Dance International performs with soaring grace and powerful artistry!”
· “[Douglas Webster’s choreography], combines expansive, rink-spanning movement with intimate interaction, as dancers fan out and then zoom into interlocked pairs.
· “The ice dancers filled the entire rink with exultant, ecstatic movement, forming circles that, as they expanded in size, evoked the sun
Ice Dance International (IDI) exists to showcase and promote ice dancing as an internationally recognized performing art form. Employing a professional company of ice dancers and choreographers, IDI brings ice dance performances of the highest caliber to communities across the United States. IDI also offers free community engagement programs for children and adults of disadvantaged populations, provides clinics for developing skaters, discussion panels for the general public, and has created 2 national public television specials that aired on PBS stations nationwide for 2 years—all in effort to share the joy, flight, and flow of skating.
Established in 2014 as a non-profit organization and based in Kittery, Maine, IDI has established a strong presence across the country. The past six years have been comprised of creative residencies in Sun Valley, ID; Portsmouth, NH; Portland, ME; and Stowe, VT. The company has performed in 75 performances in the U.S., offered 50 skating clinics (many for free) and organized free community engagement programming for nearly 55,000 constituents. Further outreach activities include panel discussions, performances at venues such as Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, Aspen Gay Ski Week, Rockefeller Center, and Fenway Park and the creation of two one-hour public television specials that aired prime time on PBS stations nationwide. Collectively, it is estimated that IDI has reached over 100,000 people to date (*this does not include the numbers of viewership of IDI’s public television specials that aired on PBS and reached every major market in the US; many viewings on at prime time). IDI has been featured in The New York Times and Boston Globecritics picks, Dance Magazine, Dance Informa, Dance International, and The Dance Enthusiast .
In January 2021, IDI will return to Strawbery Banke Museum as the company in residence creating, performing pop ups in outdoor venues across New England, and engaging with communities in safe and socially distant ways. Additionally, IDI will build its virtual content, so make sure to follow us on social media to stay up to date on all winter happenings!
Take a spin with Ice Dance International – in WGBH's Boston studio! Open Studio's host, Jared Bowen talks with the company during IDI's New England Tour 2020.
Your 100% tax deductible contribution will enable us to meet our goals and help us share the joy of ice dance with the world.
IDI is a 501 (c)3 organization.
Edward Villella
Linda Villella
Douglas Webster
Debbie Gordon (RIP)
Dick Button
Nancy Jean Davis
JoJo Starbuck
Scott Allen
Dorothy Hamill
Linda Villella
Edward Villella (Executive Advisor)
Douglas Webster (Chair)
Not shown in photo:
Josh Babb
Joy Prudek
Dick Button (Executive Advisor)
Douglas Webster is the Founding Artistic Director of Ice Dance International and is currently the company’s Executive Artistic Director. Webster is also one of the Founders of Labrie Family Skate at Puddle Dock Pond and is the Founding Artistic Director.
The IDI company is currently airing two public television documentaries nationwide that Douglas produced, directed, and choreographed called “The World of Ice Dance International” and “In Flight: The Art of Ice Dance International.” The shows, shot in Sun Valley, Idaho, celebrate the history and joy of dancing on ice as well as showcasing the company repertory.
Douglas has created and produced all special IDI events including performances at The Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, Aspen Gay Ski Week, Fenway Park, The National Baseball Hall of Fame, the Fenimore Museum, Rockefeller Center, and the Strawbery Banke Museum. He also leads and conducts all IDI clinics and has established The IDI School of Performance Skating.
In the winter of 2020, Douglas will direct IDI as the company in residence at the Strawbery Banke Museum and conduct a New England and West Coast tour funded in part by an Expeditions Grant from The New England Foundation for the Arts.
Since 2014, Douglas has volunteered his time directing and choreographing the volunteer vintage Candlelight Stroll Skaters at the Strawbery Banke Museum each December since the rink’s inception.
In the past few years, Douglas has served as the Creative Director for a 3 year ABC television series called “Shall We Dance on Ice,” Artistic Director of Ice Theatre of New York, staff for US Figure Skating’s Dance Camp, Synchro and Components Camp, and staff for Grassroots to Champions. He has also worked on choreography teams for many major skating companies, including; Disney on Ice (10 shows, including High School Musical); Holiday on Ice (3 shows); Stars On Ice (2); and The Sun Valley Ice Show (3).
His choreography has been seen in television shows all over the world, including Disson Skating, Winter Solstice on Ice; Skating with the Stars for ABC TV; and Sterren Dansen op Het IJs in The Netherlands.
Douglas has also collaborated with many renowned choreographers from the dance world including David Parsons, Elisa Monte, Jacqlyn Buglisi, Laura Dean, Ann Carlson, and Edward Villella.
He has been nominated for both PSA Awards the Paul McGrath (2) and F. Ritter Shumway.
His education includes studying acting at the William Esper Studios in NYC, he is certified massage therapist, and a graduate of the College of William and Mary with a BA in English lit.
Douglas lives in Kittery, Maine.
Check out this video featuring Edward and Linda Villella and Douglas Webster speaking about IDI with footage of our repertory at our 2016 Sun Valley Residency.
Shot and edited by Mark Oliver
IDI Residencies serve to create, teach, and engage with the community. Our company edge class is free, and along with our community outreach programs, we aim to share the joy, the flight, and the flow of skating.
IDI strives to give back when in residency, on tour, or during special IDI events. We partner with Higher Ground Sun Valley, Future in Sight and the Little Harbour School in Portsmouth, NH. Company member Carly Donowick says "these programs remind of her of why she fell in love with skating in the first place!"
Reach out to Douglas at Info@IceDanceInternational.org for more information about booking an
IDI Artistry of Skating clinic.
Commission us for one off events that inspire the joy of skating and bring your community together!
Celebrate the joy and history of skating with IDI, our Founders, and our Board of Directors
Support IDI by bringing us to perform at corporate functions, galas, and parties that require that "WOW" factor!
PO Box 831
Kittery, Maine 03904