An avid ice skater, the Elon alumna never thought one day she would play one of Disney’s most popular female characters for audiences around the world.
“It’s so much more wonderful than I ever could imagine,” says Haglund, who portrays Elsa from the hit movie “Frozen” as part of Feld Entertainment’s “Disney On Ice presents Worlds of Enchantment.” “Being able to do this with Elsa, is a dream.”
Growing up in upstate New York, where ice skating is prominent, Haglund attended many shows and had the “performance bug” from an early age. “I loved being out on the ice,” she recalls. As an undergraduate studying psychology at Elon, she maintained her passion alive by coaching at the nearby Greensboro Ice House. As graduation neared, and still desiring to continue skating, she decided to audition for “Disney On Ice” the winter of her senior year. Shortly after graduation, she learned she had been chosen to be a cast member for the “Worlds of Enchantment” company. Her first year she played Vidia, a strong-willed fairy who was one of the lead characters in the “Tinker Bell” portion of the show. When characters from the movie “Frozen” replaced that segment in 2014, Haglund landed the role of Elsa on the company’s newest version of the show that is currently touring in Europe.
Though she has a very busy schedule—the company often performs nightly shows during the week and three shows a day Friday through Sunday—Haglund has managed to explore many European cities, including Dublin, Glasgow and London. And while she has enjoyed the sightseeing opportunities, it’s the interactions with the public she cherishes the most. “It is so fun to be able to be on the ice and close enough to see the kids’ faces,” she says. “[Elsa] is a beloved character and it’s truly an honor to be able to portray her on the ice.” The most memorable part of her performance is when she takes the ice for “Let It Go,” the movie’s hit song. “I can hear the entire audience singing the song,” she says. “It’s something I’ll never forget.”
Haglund says she is thrilled to be a part of the Disney family and where it has taken her. She is also thankful to Elon for the experiences it has afforded her. “I wouldn’t be the person I am now without Elon,” she says. “Elon was such a great part of my life. It’s really cool to fully enjoy this experience with Elon as my foundation.”
Visit www.disneyonice.com/tickets to find the “Disney On Ice” show nearest you.