AIT Cleveland was founded in 2021 by current Director, Elizabeth Misson. Elizabeth is an AIT-certified choreographer through the Master Choreography Techniques course and was the 2021 Ricky Harris Scholarship Recipient. In its inaugural year as an AIT trial satellite location, AIT Cleveland held four seasonal seminars featuring many special guest artists including Kate McSwain, Garrett Kling, Franklyn Singley, and Jacqueline Redenshek. Now, as a full-time location, AIT Cleveland continues to grow throughout the greater Cleveland area with seasonal seminars, adult seminars, and local performances.
AIT Cleveland also debuted a professional company piece entitled “Pieces of Glass,” choreographed by Elizabeth Misson. The piece was performed to the music entitled “Escape!” by composer, Philip Glass, from the Motion Picture Soundtrack of “The Hours” and was inspired by the works of Martha Graham, Alvin Ailey, and John Curry. The company performed at the Brooklyn Ice Show in April and at the 2022 Virtual Professional Skaters Association US Open.
AIT CLEVELAND Seminars & Classes
Winter Seminar
Date: Wednesday, March 4
Time: 5:30 – 7:30 pm
Location: Rocky River Hamilton Ice Arena – 21018 Hilliard Blvd, Rocky River, OH 44116
Registration Fee: $50
This seminar is for skaters ages 8+ and levels FS 1+
Join AIT Cleveland for an evening of movement, music exploration and performance skill enhancement. This seminar will kick off with an edge class, incorporating 6 Ways of the Spine (TM). Then, participants will learn and rehearse a choreography piece that will be shared with the community during Act 2 of the AIT Global Skating Show: un:learning, to be held at the Rocky River Hamilton Ice Arena, Saturday, March 7 at 7:00pm. More information on the show to follow very soon!
Spring Seminar (RESCHEDULED – Registration will open March 5)
Date: Saturday, April 18
Time: 4:30 – 7:30 pm
Location: North Olmsted Recreation Center – 26000 Lorain Rd, North Olmsted, OH 44070
Registration Fee: $50
This seminar is for skaters ages 8+ and levels FS 1+
Join us for the AIT Cleveland Spring Seminar with special guests Joy Thomas and Frank Singley. Our seminar will be broken in to two parts: Part 1 will include a 6 Ways of the Spine (TM) Edge Class and Choreography Combo, led by AIT Cleveland Director, Elizabeth Misson. Part 2 will feature a brand new creative class called “Musical Figures, ReJoySing,” led by Joy Thomas and Frank Singley. This class is a fun, fresh, and unique performance art style defined by incorporating music and musical notation developed from figures and enhanced by using the body as the most valuable instrument in bringing a song to life. This class will embrace the subtle nuances of steps, timing, rhythm, and tempo, while highlighting extension, control, and the quality of tracing edges through various transitions designed to enhance skating skills and compliment the elements of ice dancing. Joy Thomas is a USFS Ice Dance Gold Medalist, award-winning choreographer, producer, and performer. Creator of the Figures Trilogy and an A–Z skating alphabet, she is a World Figure Sport Art Competition winner, artistic coach to elite athletes, Theatre on Ice director, and featured performer with leading ice organizations worldwide. Frank Singley is an accomplished figure skater, choreographer, and coach with over 50 years in the sport. A historic US Nationals medalist, Olympic ceremonies performer, and Disney on Ice principal, he is a multi-time Gay Games champion dedicated to coaching skaters of all ages and levels.
For additional information on upcoming seminars and classes, check out our Cleveland events on the AIT Calendar as well!
AIT Co-CEO’s Kate McSwain and Garrett Kling teaching at the inaugural AIT Cleveland Summer Seminar
AIT Cleveland Upcoming Performances
Come see AIT Cleveland perform at the Sk8 to Elimin8 Scott CARES Foundation benefit show!
Date: December 11, 2025
Time: 6:00pm EST
Location: Cleveland Public Square: 1 Public Square Cleveland, OH 44178
AIT Cleveland has been invited to perform as guests at the anual benefit show Sk8 to Elinin8 Scott CARES in support of cancer research. We would love to see you there!
If you’re interested in having us perform at your rink or club show, reach out to us at cleveland@americanicetheatre.org.
AIT Cleveland Performance Company
Perform with AIT Cleveland
Join us! To apply to be an AIT Cleveland Company member for the upcoming season, please fill out the interest form. *Requirements: Must be 17 years old and have passed USFS Junior Moves in the Field for Professional Company.For all requirements please read our AIT Performance Company webpage.
Our mission is to bring artistic contemporary skating performances to the Cleveland area by performing in a variety of venues such as winter carnivals, club shows, and outdoor lakes. AIT Cleveland is not a competitive USFS ice theatre team.
AIT Cleveland Company members will learn 1-2 choreographic pieces to perform throughout the season. Rehearsals are on an as-needed basis depending on the performance schedule
Choreographed by Elizabeth Misson / Music by David Tolk / Video by On Ice Perspectives
AIT Professional Company Performers: Elizabeth Misson, Chloe O’Brien
The full 2022-23 AIT Cleveland Performance Company: Marissa Diaz, Kaelynn Higgins, Anastasia Migyanko, Elizabeth Misson, Chloe O’Brien, Giulia Paolino, and Alyson Pekkola.
Choreographed by Elizabeth Misson / Music: Escape! by Philip Glass / Video by On Ice Perspectives
AIT Professional Company Performers: Marissa Diaz, Vivian Gabbard, Kaelynn Higgins, Anastasia Migyanko, Elizabeth Misson, Chloe O’Brien, Giulia Paolino, and Alyson Pekkola
If you are interested in joining the Cleveland Performance Company, please fill out thisinterest form and we will get back to you!
We welcome any level donations to support our education and performance initiatives for skaters in the Cleveland area. Please consider donating through our Supportpage or by directly making a PayPal payment to info@americanicetheatre.org.
