Pairs Champ Produces Ice Shows
Bietak Productions Employs Figure Skaters and Production Crew
Nov 15, 2007
Who is Willy Bietak?
Figure skating enthusiasts might remember this nine-time Austrian pairs champion from his appearances at the 1964 Innsbruck and 1968 Grenoble Winter Olympic Games.
Mr. Bietak is no stranger to figure skating or hard work. He began singles skating at the ripe old age of ten. His federation convinced him to switch to pairs when he was fourteen.
He and his partner, Gerlinde Schonbauer, eventually placed second at the Austrian National Championships and won a berth on the Olympic team. They were the youngest pair at the 1964 competitions.
At that point, they concentrated their off-ice training on ballet. Hence we see the beginning of Willy’s journey begin towards his present-day artistic production endeavors. As a young figure skater, he experienced the repercussions of seeking fame and gold medals over personal bests and intrinsic rewards.
His misguided personal ambitions led him to change partners to Evelyn Schneider. This change, he says, back-fired on him since they were mismatched.
His mentor, famed Soviet figure skater Oleg Protopopov helped the couple to refocus their efforts on the joy of skating with the posed question: “Why do you dance?” This simple principle, skate because you love it, is his guides Bietak’s attitude to this day.
Now Willy’s brainchild company produces ice shows, specialty acts, and other live entertainment, but they also provide portable ice skating rinks. They offer ice sheets that range in size and sophistication, depending upon the specific need.
Touring Ice Skating Shows
Besides US and international tours of Broadway on Ice and Festival on Ice, figure skating entertainment shows include Freedom-Ice.com, Ice Odyssey, Ice Dancin’, Ice Under the Big Top, Cool Art…Hot Ice, Ice Jammin’, and Planet Ice.
Three new shows come only months after Bietak signed on with Royal Caribbean Cruise Line to create and co-produce these “skating musical extravaganzas.” Casting for ice skaters (principals and supporting performers) took place on three different continents.
“Encore” thrills sea-faring skating fans on the Liberty of the Seas. “Blades” shares the ice sheet with “Ice Dancin’” on the Navigator of the Seas. “Spirit of the Seasons” sails on the Explorer of the Seas.
On-Ice Character Appearances
Considering bringing a unique spark to your next figure skating club show or celebration with a familiar fuzzy personality? Costume rentals and character appearances for special events are also available from this Santa Monica based company.
Figure Skating Employment Opportunities
Bietak Productions often takes care of all aspects of these major productions, from lighting, the ice surface, to music and costuming. These services translate into jobs for figure skaters, set designers, choreographers and lighting techs.
Auditions for ice skaters are held during major tours. To be considered for employment, send in your tape and resume to the company’s production manager, Sylvia Froescher. They hire skaters, non-skaters and specialty acts.
They are also seeking experienced ice engineers, company managers, and rink managers.
Bietak employs major names for major rolls, but there is plenty of room for talented athletes and technicians with this company, especially on cruise ships. In fact, seven different ice shows play on Royal Caribbean ocean liners.
For more information regarding employment or services, visit their website or call (310) 576-2400. Resumes and job inquiries can be mailed to Willy Bietak Productions, Inc., 1404 Third Street Promenade, Suite 200, Santa Monica, CA 90401-2300.
