AIT PHOENIX: Company History

In 2021 current AIT Phoenix Director, Jacqueline Benson founded the Phoenix satellite. Jacqueline is an AIT-certified choreographer and PSA Master-rated coach. She is an Arizona native and coaches Coyotes Theatre on Ice, the Ice Denettes synchronized skating teams, the Figure Skating Team at Arizona State University, as well as choreographs around the valley. Her other professional engagements include serving as the Treasurer of the Figure Skating Diversity & Inclusion Alliance, and skating professionally with Le Patin Libre. She completed the Master Choreography Techniques course in 2020 and has been involved with AIT since 2019.

AIT Phoenix had a wonderful inaugural year as a trial satellite locationlekarna-slovenija.com. All four seasonal seminars were a success and featured guest artists including Kate McSwain, Garrett Kling, Travon Schake, and Nancy Pluta.

As AIT Phoenix enters its first year as an official satellite, we are excited to launch our Professional Company and add performance opportunities to the scope of contemporary skating in Arizona.

AIT PHOENIX Seminars & ClasseS

Join us at the AIT Phoenix Spring Seminar, titled “Connect”, to explore the importance of connections in all capacities – connections between mind-body-spirit, between athlete and sport, between yourself and the ice, and the ways in which we are all connected with each other. This seminar will be led by AIT Phoenix Director, Jacqueline Benson. We will begin on the ice from 8:15 – 9:15am with off ice to follow from 9:30-10:30am. 

For additional information about upcoming seminars and classes, check out our Phoenix events on the AIT Calendar as well!

AIT Phoenix Upcoming Performances

Ice Dance International’s live touring show, GRACE, will be in Phoenix/Tempe on March 17. The show features 2X United States Champion Alissa Czisny and US Open Champions Kseniya Ponomaryova and Collin Brubaker in an ensemble of 10 world class skaters bringing audiences a theatrical experience that bridges sport, theater, dance, and art. American Ice Theatre Phoenix will also perform a piece during the evening. The show is at Mullett Arena / Mountain America Community Iceplex in Tempe, begins at 7:00pm, and is 90 minutes long including one intermission.

• Purchase tickets HERE.
• Please bring warm clothes to wear in the ice rink and a padded cushion or blanket for the bleacher type seating. Tickets range from $15 for youth, $30 general admission, and $50 VIP that includes preferred seating and cast meet and greet.
• Ice Dance International will be on tour March 3-March 26. Grace celebrates the art of dance on ice and features works by leading choreographers in the world of competitive figure skating including World Champion and Olympic Medalist, Kaori Sakamoto’s choreographer, Benoit Richaud and Jason Brown’s choreographer, Rohene Ward in addition to work by the leading choreographer of Disney on Ice, Cindy Stuart. Artistic Director Douglas Webster notes that “It is an experience for the viewer, a theatrical journey with dynamic, athletic movement, intimate interaction, soaring grace and artistry, and swirling patterns that will transport the audience.” Grace features music by Philip Glass, Max Richter, Moby, Arvo Part, and Ludovico Einauldi.

AIT Phoenix Performance Company

Perform with AIT Phoenix

• Join us! To apply to be an AIT Phoenix Company member for the upcoming season, please fill out the interest form. *Requirements: Must be 17 years old and have passed USFS Senior 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 Phoenix area by performing in a variety of venues such as winter carnivals, club shows, and outdoor rinks. AIT Phoenix is not a competitive USFS ice theatre team.
• AIT Phoenix 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.
• Review additional information regarding AIT Performance Companies.

The full 2022-23 AIT Phoenix Professional Company: Madalyn Ahlstrom, Erin Egelhoff, Katie Erickson, and Brenna Greco.

If you are interested in joining the AIT Phoenix Performance Company, please fill out this interest form and we will get back to you.

Contact us for more details!

Support AIT Phoenix

• We welcome any level donations to support our education and performance initiatives for skaters in the Phoenix area. Please consider donating through our Support page or by directly making a PayPal payment to info@americanicetheatre.org.