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From the company that gave generations of children faith in Prince Charming and true love, a renewed belief in all things magical and timeless memories, comes a show set to ice depicting much-loved movies.

And in front of thousands of spectators, Innisfail-born-and-raised skater Brittany Howell will be taking the ice, as well.

Howell, 21, was recently selected to skate with Disney On Ice for a brand new tour showing the original Toy Story and the two sequels.

Although her contract is on a year-by-year basis, Howell said each tour runs for six seasons, with the first two years spent in the US and then the group will travel to Asia, Europe, Australia and New Zealand for the show.

“I definitely want to do the circuit and go everywhere,” she said.

Howell said Disney On Ice wants its skaters to have the best possible time in each location, so she will be able to do a lot of sight-seeing while she travels.

Howell left for Florida on July 22 and will meet up with the Disney On Ice group on July 29 to begin auditions for characters. She will also get to know her other teammates in the process.

“There’s a lot to go through before the tour actually starts,” she said, adding that practices will run for six days a week, for eight to 12 hours each before the shows begin.

Each show runs about an hour-and-a-half to two hours long, and the group will perform anywhere from one to three times a day.

“I’m definitely going to have a few foot cramps along the way,” she laughed.

Howell has been skating since she was seven years old, and began her career with the Innisfail Skating Club.

When asked why she chose skating, her answer was simple: “This is central Alberta and you have to do something on ice.”

Howell said her father was a hockey player in his youth and he taught her to skate, so she kept with it.

“I’m more into ice dancing,” she explained. “I like learning new dances; it’s always something different.”

Howell said she is excited and a little bit nervous to be working with Disney On Ice.

“It’s an amazing opportunity, though,” she said.

When she found out in June that she had been accepted, Howell said her first concern was how she was going to fit her whole life into two suitcases.

“It was a lot to take in,” she said.

To be considered for a spot on the team, Howell sent in an audition tape and a written resume, and Disney On Ice then contacted her for a face-to-face interview. She said she was judged on her acting and dancing abilities, as well as her personality, because ice dancers have more of an acting role in the shows.

Outside of skating, Howell attended post-secondary school and graduated as a massage therapist.