Fairytale career icing on the cake

LAUREN Anderson fell in love with skating at a young age after watching the Winter Olympic Games and begging her parents to let her try it out.

"They told me I would have to skate early in the morning before school and I didn't mind," Anderson, from Minnesota, said.

"I would sleep in my skating clothes. I fell in love with the sport and all that it entailed."

The American began competing by age seven and joined Feld Entertainment's Disney on Ice cast in 2007 when she was 19 years old.

The principal skater will return to Perth for the third time when she performs in Disney on Ice presents Dare to Dream at Perth Arena from June 5 to 7.

The skating spectacle combines a program of classic fairytales Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and Cinderella with contemporary stories Tangled and The Princess and the Frog for a celebration spanning 75 years of Disney princess stories.

Anderson said the audience reactions were what she loved most about performing in the production.

"They are always so alive, and it is just wonderful to skate in front of a crowd and feel their energy throughout the show," she said.

"I feel happy when I skate and I would like to share that with them."

Having travelled all over the world for the past eight years, Anderson said her must-have items while on the road included her passport, camera, kettle and computer for skyping with family and friends back home.

"I've learned how to pack efficiently and light," she said.

"It's very different to live out of two 50-pound suitcases, but manageable.

"The trick is to find out what you can pack that can serve many purposes."

Community Newspaper Group has 15 family passes and one family meet and greet to give away to Disney on Ice presents Dare to Dream on Friday, June 5. Click here to enter before May 18.

THE ESSENTIALS What: Disney on Ice presents Dare to Dream Where: Perth Arena When: June 5 to 7 Tickets: www.ticketek.com.au