By Joanne Jamrosz
The Skating Club of Boston Coach Elin Schran wanted to give some of her adult skating participants a chance to do something they've never done: perform to an enthusiastic audience and discover a different side of skating.
"We decided that on the first Sunday of each month until summer, we could use the first 30 minutes to host a casual, supportive exhibition event,” Schran said. “The purpose would be to demystify performance, acclimate adult skaters to being alone out there and build community as we gather to support one another.”
The already popular Adult Skate sessions were a perfect place for Schran to introduce the fun exhibition among her skaters.
"The purpose of our Adult Skate is to give skaters a space and place to feel comfortable, make friends, gain support and feel that they belong," Schran said.
"Most skaters like performing a program they plan to use in a competition or test," Schran said. "But we have had a few folks do an interpretive piece or workshop a program under construction. Sometimes skaters wear their dressy costumes, sometimes they wear their practice clothes. We are seeing increased interest in testing, competing, and, most importantly, confidence and comfort."
The best part is the comforting and welcoming environment of skating in front of fellow adults.
"Sunday night exhibitions let you test your program without feeling pressure of being judged," said adult gold skater Cindy Jerrier. "You can feel free to skate, and even though you don't skate well, you still receive encouragement that you skated great. The group makes you feel better about your skating."
Laura Newhall also performed in many Sunday exhibitions. Newhall performed her adult silver free skate.
"For me, having only competed for a handful of times prior, participating in these sessions resulted in me being more mentally prepared for upcoming competitions. This program has inspired me to participate in more competitions, and I hope they continue throughout the year," Newhall said.
Anyone who attends the regular session on that first Sunday of the month is welcome to skate the five-minute warmup with the exhibitors. Then everyone sits down on the short boards that line the West rink, keeping their feet on the ice.
"I remind them that it is equally important to practice being a good audience member and to build up their clapping and cheering muscles as it is to practice performing," Schran said.
No adult skating event is ever complete without tossies, and exhibitors are treated to that experience.
“The tossies are an essential component of First Sundays," Schran said. "We hand out small stuffed animal tossies to everyone who shows up. At the end of each skater's performance, we cheer and throw the tossies out on the ice for them. Then they scoop them up and hand them to the audience for the next skater."
A true sense of community is always found every First Sunday.
Kristen Ervick skated both her character showcase and silver freestyle at previous exhibitions.
"This is a fantastic opportunity," Ervick said. "This is an opportunity to get 'nervous practice' in a very supportive environment with all adults."
"I love seeing people supporting one another and developing empathy for their peers," Schran said.
Schran finds performing, whether in a show or competition, is the artist offering to share their story with an audience.
"No matter what the theme of the music and routine are, each skater's story shares at least one commonality with every other skater's story, and that is that they are welcoming an audience to see where and who they are in their skating journey."
Adult skaters can look for First Sundays to return in the fall.
"It gives both the performer and the cheerer a chance to reaffirm the giving/receiving aspect of the art of skating," Schran said.
