Interview with ice skater Taylor Firth from Disney on Ice

Last week San Jose hosted Disney on Ice presents Disney Pixar's Toy Story 3. It was a fun-filled show with the whole toy gang, but especially with that adorable yodeling cowgirl Jessie! If you saw the show, most likely you watched Disney on Ice skater Taylor Firth in the role of Jessie.

Anna Rodriguez: Taylor, how old were you when you began skating?

Taylor Firth: I was six years old, so I've been skating for 14 years now.

AR: Oh, wow!

TF: I know...(Firth chuckles) wow!

AR: Where are you from and where do you call home?

TF: I'm from Buffalo, New York. That's where I definitely call home!

AR: How many days out of the year do you travel with Disney on Ice?

TF: Nine months out of the year I am traveling around with the company.

AR: Have you been to San Jose before or the Bay Area?

TF: No. I haven't been to California until this tour with Disney on Ice Toy Story 3. It's the coolest thing. It's a lot like Florida, but different. (Firth laughs)

AR: While in San Jose did you get to explore the city at all?

TF: I had one day off and I kind of laid low. Since we open in Oakland tomorrow I have the day off and I am going to San Francisco. I want to go to Alcatraz. I love all the touristy things! (Firth giggles)

AR: What does skating give you that maybe nothing else does?

TF: A way to express myself. There was a time when I didn't skate for a couple of months and I missed it: the way to move to music and express myself and that's what Disney on Ice gives me. When I competed I was known as a show girl, so I get to do that with this company.

AR: Taylor, you play Jessie in Disney on Ice presents Disney Pixar's Toy Story 3. Did you perform as Jessie in all of the San Jose shows?

TF: All but one show. My understudy went in for me.

AR: Did you perform opening night?

TF: Yes, that was me.

AR: That was the show I saw and I just loved you as Jessie!

TF: Oh, great! Thanks so much.

AR: So many children in the audience were dressed as their favorite Toy Story character- many of them believe that you are the real Jessie. What responsibility does that put on you and your performance?

TF: I went through characterization training beforehand to use in my performances as Jessie. Jessie is energetic and spunky and I try to bring that out when I am her. I wave to kids and play with them. It makes them happy. It's an honor to play her. I'm not nervous at all, not stressed because I don't think Jessie would be. I think she'd be very relaxed.

AR: My favorite number was when you performed "When Somebody Loved Me". What is your favorite number to perform?

TF: "Woody's Roundup" is my favorite when all of the ragdolls come out. It is so energetic and it's our chance to get to play around a bit.

AR: Have you had a chance to watch the whole show? If so, what is your favorite number to watch?

TF: Yes, I have. (Firth laughs) The Ken fashion show! He's hillarious! He's just like Ken- the guy who plays Ken. He's such a metrosexual-into his clothes- and he's always making me laugh. I tell him all the time. Disney on Ice got the perfect guy to play Ken! I just love the Ken and Barbie performances.

AR: The Toy Story characters are loved by many, but maybe not as much as us Northern Californians since they were created here at Pixar Studios. Did this add any additional pressure to you as you brought the character of Jessie to life?

TF: Oh, hmm...not pressure, more like excitement! It's an honor to show people what was created in California and bring it back to them...live. Think about it, the Toy Story movies were a huge hit! Each one just got better and better and that's so rare to do.

AR: How long have you been with Disney on Ice?

TF: This is my second year with the company so, Toy Story 3 is my first show.

AR: How long have you been performing as Jessie?

TF: Since September of 2010.

AR: What qualities do you try to bring out in your role as Jessie?

TF: Her energy! It's a huge part of her. She has big arm movements and a little bit of tomboy so I have to remind myself to push the girlie girl way down.

AR: After watching a Disney on Ice performance many children ask their parents for ice skating lessons. Do you have any advice for these children and their parents?

TF: Absolutely. Just go for your dreams! If you want to be a figure skater- go for it! If you want to be a baseball player- just go for it! Believe in yourself and follow your dreams. Don't ever let anyone tell you you can't do something because you never know what you could do! Just go for it and always follow your dreams!

AR: With the current economic state, many families must have a good reason to spend their hard-earned dollars on a family outing. Why do you believe Disney on Ice Toy Story 3 is worth their time and money?

TF: It is an energetic and fun show. People laugh. I always see people smiling. It's hard not to smile. If you're having a down day, it's a way to get your mind off of it and laugh. You'll feel better. Live entertainment is like nothing else, especially for children. You can go to the movies and watch a huge screen, and that's fun, too, but this is live. Think about it, you have this huge piggy bank- Hamm- come up to you and wave, you can't help but smile and laugh.

AR: Next is Oakland? Will you be Jessie for all of those performances?

TF: We open tomorrow in Oakland. Yes, I will be Jessie for all of the Oakland shows.

AR: Thank you for your time, Taylor. It has been a pleasure speaking with you. Have a safe trip. Enjoy San Francisco and Oakland!

TF: Thank you, Anna, it was so great talking to you!

If you missed Disney on Ice presents Disney Pixar's Toy Story 3 in San Jose don't fret, the gang has only skated into Oakland for one final Bay Area stop.

Oracle Arena- 7000 Coliseum Way, Oakland