By Mikkelina Swenning
Judy Thomas
Casting Director, Disney On Ice
Pro Skaters Hall of Fame
A one-year contract turned into 50 years in the show industry for Judy Thomas.
How did your skating career begin?
Thomas lived and competed in Canada and never thought of joining an ice show, since she grew up in a small town in Ontario. At the time, she was debating what to do as far as school and possibly studying internationally.
When she moved to Vancouver to finish school, she saw a poster for Ice Follies. She ended up auditioning for the show and was offered a job.
“One thing led to the other,” she says. “It worked out perfectly and I had wonderful years performing in the show.”
A Career Built Through Opportunity and Travel
How did international travel shape your perspective both personally and professionally?
She says she took advantage of every opportunity and worked hard. Sometimes even the smaller opportunities became part of something bigger, she says.
In total, she toured for 19 years, traveling domestically within Canada, the U.S. and Mexico, as well as internationally to Asia and Europe. Thomas expressed how during these years she didn’t realize how profoundly her environment was shaping her as a person through the different people she met and all the places she traveled.
“On the other hand, being on the other side of the globe gives you an appreciation for home as well.”
When asked about her favorite tour, she remembers Japan being incredibly special. The tour lasted 4-5 months, and when people asked her about culture shock, she explained that she experienced more shock when she returned to the States.
“Everything there is so orderly, everyone is respectful and quiet, and you feel so safe. This was a stark difference to when I returned to LAX.”
[PHOTO: Judy Thomas performing]
From Performing to Casting
What helped you successfully transition from performing to casting, and how did you know it was the right time?
When Disney On Ice started, things were moving fast. Within three years, it went from two shows to six. Because the company was growing so quickly, they had to build a recruiting process and reach out to skaters to build a pool of potential talent.
What challenges did you face during your years of constant touring and later as a casting director, and how did you handle them?
As she moved into the casting world, Disney evolved into nine shows and then ten in ’98. As the company continued to grow, a challenge was keeping up and juggling many plates while making sure every show was up to standard in terms of the level of performance.
What differences do you see between shows then versus now?
“The number one difference today is social media and greater access.”
She used to send contracts via fax, and if she was talking to someone in Germany or Japan, it would take weeks to make that contact. Now that can happen within a day or even seconds.
Another challenge is making sure that skaters have visas and looking for the best talent, including understudies for every major role. “There are layers of complication,” she tells me.
Skating Beyond the Ice
What opportunities exist beyond performing?
There are more opportunities everywhere now than there were then, Judy explains. Disney On Ice plays across 78 countries now, so there is a global demand. The number of ice shows on cruise ships has also grown. It is also easier for skaters to continue their education online while traveling. A lot of people come before and after college or take a gap year to do shows.
There are also professional opportunities while touring for different levels of interest. She sees opportunities especially in sport management and offering skaters support in that respect.
Judy shared stories of skaters whose experiences with Disney influenced the rest of their careers in different fields.
One skater came into the show with a degree in chemical engineering and had also interned at Proctor and Gamble. After traveling the world, she developed a passion for writing and got a job writing for National Geographic.
Another skater became a successful chef. He toured Europe and Asia and made a point to meet Michelin-starred chefs on his days off. Now, he owns a Michelin-starred restaurant and said his touring experience in Asia and Europe influenced his menu.
“Skating is especially amazing when you really explore what else it can give you in life.”
Skating as a Brand
What separates a good skater from a great one and what advice would you give to someone trying to stand out?
According to Judy, what separates a good skater from a great one is a passion for performing and a connection with the audience. Even a really great skater can lack a connection with the audience, she tells me.
“They won’t be drawn into the performance. Expertise is key and the performance has to come from the heart. The people who stand out do not have to be Olympic champions.”
How are you staying involved with skating?
Judy says she is honored to continue to be involved with ProSkaters, a casting organization. She tells me that her strength has always been identifying talent and that it gives her so much joy to encourage people down a path that was so rewarding for herself.
What advice would you give skaters about building their personal brand?
We wrapped up our conversation talking about personal branding. She tells skaters that they should think of themselves as their own brand and that every choice, reaction, and effort reflects their values, efforts, and passions.
“People tend to link branding with corporations but it is more so about people.”
[PHOTO: Ice Follies Poster 1973 ]
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