A FIGURE SKATER’S JOURNEY
A FIGURE Skater’s Journey: Nikki Czuhajewski of “Disney on Ice”
Turning your art form into a career is a dream many of us hold—and “Disney on Ice” figure skater Nikki Czuhajewski has realized that dream.
Nikki began skating at four years old and hasn’t stopped since. She went on to skate in college and shared with us that one of her favorite career moments was finishing her college skating journey by doing a synchronized skating piece with her sister. Czuhajewski’s long list of accomplishments includes performing as a former USA skater, three-time international silver medalist, and US Collegiate Championship Junior Ladies Champion. She now performs as an ensemble skater in “Disney on Ice: Frozen and Encanto” opening this Friday, Sept. 22 at Chaifetz Arena.
Czuhajewski spent most of her life focused on training and competitive figure skating. After years of competition, and with an urge to express herself more creatively, she auditioned for “Disney on Ice.” With such a varied background she has faced hills and valleys and shared that although all performers have lulls in their motivation and creativity, focusing on her “why” is how she reignites the spark.
One of her favorite ways to stay inspired while performing in the current tour of “Disney on Ice: Frozen & Encanto” is the private showcase skaters perform for each other to keep creativity running high. Flexing their prowess and testing their improv, the skaters execute original creative numbers. This is a great way for the skaters to express themselves on the road and lean into the art of skating, Czuhajewski says.
STAYING FIT ON THE ROAD
Czuhajewski shares that she stays fit and healthy on the road by making fresh meals as often as possible which looks like lots of fresh fruits and sandwiches. Skaters acquire access to gyms wherever they travel and haul fitness equipment to each destination.
The joy of travel
Every week “Disney on Ice” spends in a new city they enjoy a few days off where Nikki takes time to explore the new sights. It’s one of her favorite parts about being on the road.
“Disney on Ice” will show in St. Louis this Friday, September 22, through Monday, September 25. As an ensemble member of the cast, Czuhajewski shares a love of the many costumes that are featured per show. She undergoes three to four outfit changes herself.
Look out for Czuhajewski’s favorite part of the “Encanto” portion of the performance when the character Luisa and the donkeys portray her “carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders.”
“I love to see how the audience takes in the magic and I hope they leave with the feeling that they can do anything they set their mind to.”
Nikki Czuhajewski
All images courtesy of “Disney on Ice: Frozen and Encanto”