A once-in-a-lifetime experience
Just as I was returning to the library at the end of August to continue working on my Master’s thesis, I received an unexpected email from NTA Dance, the dance school I attend. The message announced that the school had been contacted by the Olympic Committee, who had invited students to audition as performers in the opening ceremonies of the Winter Olympics in Milan and the Paralympics in Verona.
The two ceremonies were managed by different production companies: Balich Wonder Studio for the Winter Olympics and Filmmaster for the Paralympics. According to the email, auditions for the Olympic ceremony would take place from 17 to 21 September, while those for the Paralympic ceremony were scheduled for 11–12 October.
I immediately replied to express my interest in auditioning for the Milan ceremony. Shortly afterwards, the school secretary sent me an application form where I could select a date and time for the audition, which would last one hour.
The day of the audition
The audition took place at Fabbrica del Vapore, a former railway facility in Milan that has been converted into a cultural and performing-arts venue near the San Siro stadium. I chose to audition on Sunday, 21 September, in the early afternoon. My parents accompanied me to Milan that day.
Before the audition began, the organisers provided practical information about the rehearsal schedule, which would take place in a designated area of the nearby Parco dei Capitani. During the week, rehearsals were scheduled from 18:00 to 22:00, while weekend sessions could take place either from 15:00 to 18:00 or from 18:00 to 22:00. We were also informed that all selected performers would be required to sign a non-disclosure agreement. Costume designers then took our measurements.
Later, we were invited upstairs to the dance studio, where three choreographers introduced themselves and presented Balich Wonder Studio. They explained the structure of the audition, which consisted of learning a short choreography designed to assess rhythm, energy, and technical precision. After rehearsing it twice, we were asked to complete a brief improvisation exercise. I found this the most challenging part. Although I have danced for many years, I am not a professional dancer, and the improvisation exercise exposed some of my technical limitations.
Professional dancers, dance-school students, Milan residents, and participants from other countries attended the auditions in the hope of being selected for one of the ceremony’s many segments. I estimate that around 2,200 people auditioned over the four days.
The final judgment
At the end of October, after finishing my Master’s thesis, I received an email confirming that I had been selected as a performer. If you watched the opening ceremony on television, you might remember the Fantasia performance, in which performers embodied characters such as Colorful Moka, the chef, or the Mona Lisa.
However, after my first rehearsal with the Fantasia group at the end of November, I was informed that I would not be involved in that segment due to a costume issue: the costume assigned to me could not be further adjusted to fit my height. As the choreographers mentioned that day, within this segment it was also necessary having a certain height in order to be visible on the camera. I was not the only performer whose role changed for this reason. The production team proposed moving me to the Athletes’ Parade, which included choreographed movement sequences. I accepted the proposal.
Rehearsal’s Time
I began attending rehearsals for the Athletes’ Parade in mid-December. The group consisted of around 170 people, later divided into two roles: flag marshals and parade marshals. Flag marshals were responsible for carrying the flags of participating countries into the Olympic stadium and were numbered from 1 to 100 according to their BIP number. The remaining performers were parade marshals, who danced along the edges of the procession using repetitive movements designed to help the parade flow smoothly.
As viewers may have noticed during the broadcast, the parade took place across multiple locations, Milan, Cortina, Livigno, and Predazzo, requiring careful coordination to ensure that national delegations entered simultaneously and that athletes exited in time for the next segment.
The choreography was originally more complex than was apparent on television. Our presence was intended to liven up the parade and encourage participation, with themed dance sections such as Winter Sports, Traditional Dance, Italian Gestures and Hip Hop. However, the choreography was later simplified and some movements were removed, particularly after DJ and producer MACE was confirmed as the parade’s musical director.
Ultimately, the movements were adapted to be more appropriate for a parade, and the costumes associated with the placards were designed. The dancers wore long Moncler coats that looked like vests, as well as caps, gloves, and ski goggles.
The parade marshal performed and danced in Milan, where the participating countries’ athletic delegations gathered for the hockey and ice skating competitions.
Toward the opening ceremony
The last three days were absolutely chaotic. They not only changed the entrance, but also introduced security measures such as scanning and controls. To make matters worse, I had to show my accreditation, which I had left at the last rehearsal in January.
The first day was awful. I arrived in Milan by train, carrying a suitcase and a bag of groceries for the week. I took the tram to the stadium and joined the dancers, placard holders and other performers in a long queue.
We rehearsed in the rain for three days and they provided us with ponchos. I was more concerned for the professional performers in the ‘Fantasia’, ‘City and Mountain’, ‘Future’ and ‘Peace’ segments, who had to wear thermal covers intended for rescuing refugees over their costumes and makeup. As we were performing in the opening ceremony, we had to arrive at least two hours early. The parade marshals were divided into three groups based on the VOM. The parade marshals on VOM1 departed with the flag marshal and the placards, positioned next to the athletes’ entrance. I was in that VOM. The other two VOMs were positioned behind the athletes’ seats.
Recently, the person responsible for our group said that we could sit with the athlete delegations, see the entire show, and guide the athletes at the end to illustrate the exit.
Personal review of the performance
I am thankful to have been selected for this occasion, which is an opportunity to reflect on every project we are working on. I performed well in the dance movements and was able to maintain a positive attitude and energy levels, even when I felt annoyed or exhausted. I should have been more active in interacting with the athletes. I should have been more relaxed and inventive with the footwork. Overall, I did well. I would give it 8 out of 10. Good, but not memorable.
Description of this position
Please note that this was a voluntary position performed during the Winter Olympics. This was clearly mentioned in the application form of the website of the audiction of the Opening Ceremony. In an interview with Wired, Marco Balich, the CEO of Balich Studio, mentioned that many people, even those who have moved abroad, volunteered. In short, we did not receive any payment. The company provided tea, coffee and a lunch bag for every rehearsal, ponchos and every thing necessary to be covered by the rain and we were insured for the entire period. However, we had to cover the cost of accommodation in Milan ourselves, especially at the beginning of February and transportation every time we rehersed. Some people had to apply for work permits to attend rehearsals, especially when they were during the week. I was fortunate as I was able to stay with a family member who lives in Milan, especially in February. I was able to arrange my attendance without asking and to purchase an affordable train ticket. Most of the performers who participated were also volunteers in other sections of the Games, and they received a free tram and bus pass for Milan and the surrounding area and tickets to attend with an affordable prices the competition that will occur in Milan.
In my circumstance, I received the possibility of obtaining two free tickets to give to my parents or friend to attend freely the final rehersal of the Opening Ceremony of the Olympics, unfortunately there were not all the vip invited to perform and give speeches.
People from abroad who were selected to participate as volunteers in the Olympics came not only to the Opening Ceremony; some rooms were reserved for them in the Olympic Village for the whole duration of the Games.
After the performance, we were told that we could keep the costumes. The Marshall’s costume was ski equipment made by Salomon, including a cap, gloves, a neck warmer and mountain tracker shoes.
It was a once in a life experience which I was enthusiastic to be part of and this represents an opportunity to work within a global scale event and work within an international team and support