Michael Schwandt to Choreograph Gay Games Closing Ceremony
Fri. January 20, 2006 12:00 AM
Chicago, IL -
Chicago organizers of the 2006 Gay Games announced this week that Michael Schwandt has been selected to choreograph the spectacular Closing Ceremony that will take place on Saturday, July 22, 2006, at Chicago’s Wrigley Field.
"With the recruitment of this final member of the choreographic team, we have taken a key step in the evolution of the 2006 Gay Games Ceremonies," said Gay Games Ceremonies Creative Director Kile Ozier. "Michael Schwandt brings to the team a multifaceted sense of show that will power the high-energy, celebratory nature of Closing Ceremony at Wrigley. We now have talent from Chicago, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and the best of Broadway in New York City working in collaboration to create something powerful and unique on the ceremonies fields of Gay Games VII. There will be spectacle, there will be substance - in the truest sense of the word, the experience will be awesome."
In October, Ozier gathered his creative team for the first meeting and walk-through of Chicago’s Soldier Field and Wrigley Field, the world class stadiums that will be the bookend venues for the July 2006 Gay Games.
Both the Opening Ceremony at Soldier Field (July 15, 2006) and the Closing Ceremony at Wrigley Field (July 22, 2006) will feature internationally renowned entertainment, spectacular performances, as well as all of the protocol associated with past Gay Games ceremonies, including the traditional marching in of the participants at the very top of the program. "I believe what we do on the floor of that stadium for the Opening Ceremony could in fact influence the way the Olympic Games presents their athletes," said Ozier.
This extraordinary team of world-class talent gathered to choreograph the corps of 400 dancers, gymnasts, aerialists and performers includes: Iega Jeff of Chicago’s Deeply Rooted Dance Company; Joel Hall, worldwide icon of dance who is a Gay Games Champion and has his own Chicago-based dance company; Michele Lynch, a former Radio City Rockette, currently a Broadway and national theatrical/spectacle choreographer; and Chris Harrison, founder of New York’s Anti Gravity, an aerial and acrobatic troupe of world-class gymnasts and athletes. All have agreed to join Creative Director Kile Ozier to produce an experience unlike any before.
Leaders and national representatives of the Lesbian and Gay Band Association, Cheer Teams and Color Guard/Drill Teams are also an integral part of this creative team and participated in the walk-through.
Michael Schwandt is one of the hottest creative visionaries for movement and direction in Hollywood. His extensive body of work can be seen in commercials, corporate industrial films, television, award shows, special events, and various recording artist projects. Michael is the Creative Director of FUSION entertainment, a company that provides dancers and specialty circus acts for live events. He is also a faculty member at the world renowned EDGE Performing Arts Center in Hollywood where he teaches L.A.’s top professional dancers. Michael recently choreographed the opening number of the 2005 Music Video Production Awards in L.A. and the New York International Music Festival’s closing concert. He has three music videos and one commercial currently airing in the U.S. and Europe.
View more information about Michael Schwandt at www.michaelschwandt.com.
"With the recruitment of this final member of the choreographic team, we have taken a key step in the evolution of the 2006 Gay Games Ceremonies," said Gay Games Ceremonies Creative Director Kile Ozier. "Michael Schwandt brings to the team a multifaceted sense of show that will power the high-energy, celebratory nature of Closing Ceremony at Wrigley. We now have talent from Chicago, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and the best of Broadway in New York City working in collaboration to create something powerful and unique on the ceremonies fields of Gay Games VII. There will be spectacle, there will be substance - in the truest sense of the word, the experience will be awesome."
In October, Ozier gathered his creative team for the first meeting and walk-through of Chicago’s Soldier Field and Wrigley Field, the world class stadiums that will be the bookend venues for the July 2006 Gay Games.
Both the Opening Ceremony at Soldier Field (July 15, 2006) and the Closing Ceremony at Wrigley Field (July 22, 2006) will feature internationally renowned entertainment, spectacular performances, as well as all of the protocol associated with past Gay Games ceremonies, including the traditional marching in of the participants at the very top of the program. "I believe what we do on the floor of that stadium for the Opening Ceremony could in fact influence the way the Olympic Games presents their athletes," said Ozier.
This extraordinary team of world-class talent gathered to choreograph the corps of 400 dancers, gymnasts, aerialists and performers includes: Iega Jeff of Chicago’s Deeply Rooted Dance Company; Joel Hall, worldwide icon of dance who is a Gay Games Champion and has his own Chicago-based dance company; Michele Lynch, a former Radio City Rockette, currently a Broadway and national theatrical/spectacle choreographer; and Chris Harrison, founder of New York’s Anti Gravity, an aerial and acrobatic troupe of world-class gymnasts and athletes. All have agreed to join Creative Director Kile Ozier to produce an experience unlike any before.
Leaders and national representatives of the Lesbian and Gay Band Association, Cheer Teams and Color Guard/Drill Teams are also an integral part of this creative team and participated in the walk-through.
Michael Schwandt is one of the hottest creative visionaries for movement and direction in Hollywood. His extensive body of work can be seen in commercials, corporate industrial films, television, award shows, special events, and various recording artist projects. Michael is the Creative Director of FUSION entertainment, a company that provides dancers and specialty circus acts for live events. He is also a faculty member at the world renowned EDGE Performing Arts Center in Hollywood where he teaches L.A.’s top professional dancers. Michael recently choreographed the opening number of the 2005 Music Video Production Awards in L.A. and the New York International Music Festival’s closing concert. He has three music videos and one commercial currently airing in the U.S. and Europe.
View more information about Michael Schwandt at www.michaelschwandt.com.