Olympic Winter Games

A Note from Chelsey

My role here is always a bit tricky to contextualize — I trafeled the country auditioning talent, who would actually be performing in the ceremony itself. The credit is assistant choreographer, but really, I was auditioning every participant. 

Specfically, everyone in the Sochi opening ceremony had to be from Russia. We traveled the country going into universities, public halls- people of all walks for life were showing up from students to farmers to mothers: all ages, all backgrounds. The incentive was a stipend and the chance to go to Sochi. 

For mass choreography like this, it's not about being a fierce dancer — it's about following. Most participants had inner ears  that would guide them through the blocking and directions. One of my favorite memories was learning how to count in Russian as well as directions just to move people through walking patterns. It was one of the wildest audition processes I've ever run.

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