Professional figure skater Sydney Berrier plays Raya from Raya and the Last Dragon. Disney on Ice: Magic in the Stars will be in Vancouver this month. (Photo Courtesy Disney on Ice: Magic in the Stars)
Professional skater and aerialist Sydney Berrier, 24, took a break from her busy schedule as Raya from Raya and the Last Dragon to give Vacay.ca a behind the scenes look at life on the road with Disney on Ice: Magic in the Stars, coming to the Pacific Coliseum November 27th to December 1st, 2024.
Vacay.ca: How did you get involved with Disney on Ice?
Sydney Berrier: In 2018, a figure skater friend of mine with Disney on Ice told me the company was auditioning for skaters in Sun Valley, Idaho. I’ve been skating since I was four in my hometown of White Bear Lake, Minnesota, and I had a lot of experience performing at local annual shows. I auditioned and was offered to join Disney on Ice that day.
Vacay.ca: What is it like before a show?
Berrier: Once we get to a new city we spend the day before the show opens, by training our routines together. We start by warming up and then during practice if there are mistakes, we work on them until we know we are ready to go.
Berrier has visited several cities as a figure skater in Disney on Ice, including Quebec City, Montreal, Winnipeg and Seville Spain. (Photo Courtesy Disney on Ice: Magic in the Stars)
Vacay.ca: Favourite cities you’ve performed in so far?
Berrier: My favourite memory as a performer has been skating in Spain, namely the city of Seville. It sounds funny, but I fell in love with the smell of the bitter orange trees that grow throughout the region. I had two weeks to explore this beautiful region, its amazing food scene and churches. In Seville, I bought cookies baked by cloistered nuns… I rang the doorbell, and the cookies were left outside the door. Such a cool experience.
My other favourite cities are Quebec City and Montreal, where I visited local museums and great restaurants. I tried poutine for the first time and loved it. I was there in the winter and both cities were magical, like scenes out of a movie.
However, I’ve never been to Vancouver, so I’m really excited to come because I’ve heard a lot of great things about it. On my days off, I hope to really explore Vancouver.
Berrier, who started skating at 4 years old, was a U.S. Figure Skating freeskate gold medalist. (Photo Courtesy Disney on Ice: Magic in the Stars)
Vacay.ca: How does traveling impact your life?
The hardest part is leaving my family and friends behind. I’m on the road for nine to 10 months a year, performing in eight to 12 shows a week. During the holiday season, it can be up to 20 shows a week. It can be very tiring to travel from city to city.
It is definitely a sacrifice, but on the upside, your fellow skaters become your family and friends. Life on the road can be hectic, but it also offers great opportunities to travel to cities I would never otherwise have the chance to visit. Plus, I get to perform in front of thousands of excited fans, and that is rewarding.
The moment I take to the skies as Raya, it is such a great feeling to hear the ahhs and oohs from the audience, especially the children, that it makes being away from your family less difficult.
Disney on Ice: Magic in the Stars celebrates more than a century of Disney magic and is set to have the most Disney characters ever featured in one show – 56 performers to be exact. Berrier is on the bottom left of the photograph. (Photo Courtesy Disney on Ice: Magic in the Stars)
Vacay.ca: Any surprises along the way?
Berrier: We were traveling from Winnipeg to Minnesota during a winter blizzard when the heater on our touring bus stopped working. It was freezing and we had to huddle together to stay warm for ten hours.
Other surprises are when we get to a new arena and the ice is very different from what we are used to. We need to learn to acclimatize ourselves to different environments. As professional skaters, we adapt and although that can be challenging at times, it keeps life interesting.
Vacay.ca: Sydney, it was wonderful speaking with you about your adventures on and off the ice. Thanks for taking the time to speak with us.
Berrier: My pleasure!
MORE ABOUT DISNEY ON ICE: MAGIC IN THE STARS
This newest production showcases beloved Disney stars, with Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donald, and Daisy’s timeless tales, and today’s favourites, such as Mirabel, Woody and Buzz, Tiana, Moana, and more. The adventure begins when the North Star shines brightly and descends upon Jiminy Cricket as he welcomes and reminds the audience that the most fantastic, magical things can happen, and it all starts with a wish.
To purchase tickets, visit Ticketleader.ca.
