Skating since she was 2, Bemidji native Amanda Welle is living a dream come true as part of the cast of "Disney On Ice Presents Princess Wishes."
This week, the 20-year-old's family and friends will see her perform in the show when the tour stops in Minneapolis.
"We're all looking forward to coming to Minneapolis," Welle said in a telephone interview during a tour stop last week in Auburn Hills, Mich. "It's really going to be exciting I think."
The show opens at the Target Center at 7 p.m. today and performances will continue there through Sunday. Tickets are available at (651) 989-5151 or ticketmaster.com.
Welle, a 2005 graduate of Bemidji High School, started skating with Disney On Ice in the fall of 2005 in "Three Jungle Adventures" and later joined the cast of "The Incredibles in a Disneyland Adventure."
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She is now an ensemble skater in "Princess Wishes," a new show that debuted in September. The show, which is produced by Feld Entertainment, features Disney's Ariel, Cinderella, Belle, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Jasmine and Mulan as they all make their wishes come true.
"It's my favorite show I've been in," said Welle, adding that one of her favorite parts is the Mulan number, which involved high kicks and tai chi.
She said she also enjoys the enthusiasm of the audience as she tours with Disney On Ice.
"I love the audience and just being a performer, and this has really brought that out," she said. "It's a great experience."
Welle, who competed with the Bemidji Figure Skating Club for many years, noted that her parents, Hugh and Deb Welle, got her involved in skating.
Welle comes from a long line of skaters, including her grandfather Bill Christian, who was on the 1960 U.S. Olympic hockey team, and her uncle David Christian, who was on the 1980 "Miracle on Ice" U.S. Olympic hockey team.
Through Disney On Ice, Welle has entertained audiences throughout the United States and beyond. And, she said, she sees herself being a part of Disney On Ice for years to come.
"I look at this as an opportunity to see the world and engage audiences all around the world," Welle said.
