Craig Heath, 35, the last U.S. senior championship skater to win the compulsory figures competition in 1991 (Minneapolis, MN), has been skating professionally for the past 10 years as a soloist for a myriad of show productions. From 1996 to 2002, Heath has played the roles of Andy and Sid in Feld Entertainment’s Disney on Ice’s production of Toy Story. “It was a great six years and a time that I will never forget,” he said.
During that time he has also competed in the American Open competitions, winning silver medals in 1998 and 2000 and a bronze in 2001 and for the past three years has been the president of the Professional Figure Skaters Cooperative (PFSC), taking over for Scott Williams, who remained on staff as Treasurer with Dan Hollander serving as vice-president. The not-for-profit organization promotes professional figures skating worldwide.
After touring Europe with Toy Story for seven months last year, Heath flew home for a stint on a cruise ship. “I never thought I would be working in a show on a moving ship?” he exclaimed, then commented. “Try spinning in one place while the ice is rocking. Life keeps bringing more challenges.”
Heath was Assistant Choreographer to Barry Lather for Feld Entertainment’s production of Disney’s Jungle Adventures on Ice. “We created two separate versions of the show that have been traveling the world for the past three years.”
In 2001 he choreographed a number for 1988 Olympic silver medalist Liz Manley to Madonna’s Music. And has been teaching an ice class for the past seven years. Among his accomplishments, Heath is best known for completing 10 double axels in a row for many performances of Disney’s Toy Story on Ice.
He also performs in Sun Valley ice shows during the summer. Last Fall, he joined the new production of Holiday on Ice, called Hollywood. The show was choreographed by Robin Cousins with Cindy Stuart as his assistant. Heath says he still has one month left on the tour, which shows principally in Germany and France. “After that I will take a break but plan on being back in Sun Valley this summer performing and teaching for three months.”
Heath says he will return to Holiday on Ice this coming fall for season two of Hollywood. Heath has two homes in the U.S. one in Mill Valley, Calif., the other in Sun Valley, Idaho.
Ice Skating has been my life since I was a child. I love performing and teaching. I especially like empowering people to be their best and to reach their goals in a positive and fun way.
All the traveling that skating has brought to me has inspired me in many different ways. I love teaching in different countries and experience the different cultures and ways of doing things.
Skating is a universal language and one that every person from every country has in common. Skating on the ice with inspirational music playing is something that can move mountains.
