Casting Information

A show number is any of the following:

• Grad Feature—For the skaters who have begun to skate on contract Ice. Talk to your coach about qualifying for one of these numbers.
• Large Singles (formerly Free Skate) Group—Most skaters will be placed in a large singles group the year after their grad feature and will remain in a large group for several years, depending on their ability and show tryout performance.
• Sophomore/Junior Feature—Skaters who are either sophomores or juniors in high school who have not been included in a feature and have passed preliminary singles (formerly preliminary free skate) or above.
• Senior Feature—Skaters who are seniors in high school who have passed preliminary singles (formerly free skate), pre-bronze skating skills (formerly pre-juvenile moves-in-the-field) or bronze dance (complete) or above.
• Father/Daughter Number—Participation is open to any girl who is at the pre-preliminary singles (formerly free skate) or preliminary skating skills (formerly moves-in-the-field) or higher on November 7, 2023 (Hiawathaland test session is the last RFSC test session before this cutoff). Dads should be able to skate forward and backward, stop and turn. For more information see the Father/Daughter Information page.
• Small Feature Group, Duet or Trio—Skaters may earn small feature group, duet or trio placement by achieving a high score in their show tryout.
• Opening/Closing (Finale)—Skaters are chosen by consideration of age, line skating strength or tryout placement. Sometimes skaters earn one of these numbers before they earn a small feature group number.
• Solo or Feature— Solos are earned by one of the following:
  1. Very high tryout placement
  2. Graduating seniors who are skating a minimum of nine free skate units per week at RFSC and who do not have a full or feature solo will be eligible for a senior highlight as determined by the show directors. The type and length of the highlight will be determined by the needs of the show and the skater’s singles (formerly free skate) test level:
     • Pre-Bronze (formerly pre-juvenile): highlight in a group number
     • Bronze (formerly juvenile): highlight approximately one minute in length, may be within a group
     • Pre-Silver (formerly intermediate) and above: highlight approximately one and one-half minutes in length, may be within a group
     • The final decision regarding casting will be made by the artistic director and casting committee.
     • Senior Soloists and Senior Small Group numbers will work with the artistic director in the selection of music.
     • Senior Soloists and Senior Small Group numbers will work with the costume committee in the selection of costume/dress options, which include color choices. Costumes must be approved by the costume committee by December 31, 2023.

The tryout placement score, along with the number of units contracted and skated per week (Singles, Skating Skills/Dance, Power, Edge and Synchronized) will affect the number of show numbers a skater may be assigned. Units will be counted with the expectation that the contracting and skating of those units will commence in September and be maintained throughout the year. Changes in a skater’s contract may affect casting.

A skater may be placed in 1 to 4 numbers based on their parent's permission (indicated on the Participation Form) and the following:

• 5 to 8 units per week = 1 number
• 9 to 14 units per week = up to 2 numbers
• 15 or more units per week = up to 4 numbers

Be aware that costumes will need to be purchased for each number in which a skater is cast. In the past, the average cost per number for costume and accessories has been approximately $90–110.

Skaters who participate on a synchronized team or have tested in dance may qualify for an additional number(s). The Father/Daughter number is considered an additional number and does not count toward the above listed maximums.

Final decisions will be made by the artistic director and casting committee. The cast list is posted around Thanksgiving.