Vancouver BC

The Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) announced today that PRP Inc. will produce the Opening and Closing Ceremonies for the X Winter Paralympic Games. 

Working in conjunction with VANOC’s Ceremonies team, PRP will create and direct ceremonies that celebrate the 1350-paralympic competitors from more than 40 nations around the world. Using mass community participation, PRP plans to highlight Canada’s unique multi-cultural diversity and capture the spirit and unique personalities of Vancouver, British Columbia and Canada.

“It’s an honour to be selected for such a prestigious event,” said PRP President and Creative Director, Patrick Roberge. “Our team’s goal is to produce a ceremony that will celebrate Canada and offer a tremendous opportunity for the community to share in this paralympic celebration.”

PRP’s BC-based Ceremonies production team will be comprised of:

Producer & Show Director, Patrick Roberge
Production Director, Nik Von Schulmann
Assistant Director, Jocelyn Peden
Business Manager, Anna Bond
Director of Design, Robert Sondergaard
Music Director, Paul Airey
Project Manager, Heather Connell
Project Coordinator, Diane Buirs

A recognized leader of live entertainment and spectacular productions, Patrick Roberge has steered countless prestigious international events for more than 20 years. He stepped onto the Olympic stage in 1988 as a stage manager for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the XV Winter Olympic Games in Calgary.  During the 2006 and 2008 Olympic Games, he oversaw the event management at the BC Canada Pavilions in Torino, Italy and Beijing, China.  Patrick has directed and produced multiple VANOC productions, which include Imagine 2010, Decision 2010, 2010 Olympic Mascot Launch and Celebrate Canada.

Over the last 20 years, Nik Von Schulmann’s expertise has been utilized in many international large-scale productions.  His Olympic journey began as Technical Director for Celebrate Canada; and continued as Technical Director for Decision 2010; Production Manager for Imagine 2010 and the 2010 Olympic Mascot Launch; and technical support as Head of Props for Come Play with Us, the Canadian component of the Closing Ceremonies at the 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Torino, Italy.

Jocelyn Peden’s experience in professional entertainment spans more then 21 years.  She has choreographed and directed the NBA’s Los Angeles Lakers and Vancouver Grizzlies dance teams as well as multiple half-time spectacles for the CFL’s BC Lions.  Jocelyn has staged multiple live sport productions for VANOC that include Imagine 2010, Celebrate Canada and the 2010 Olympic Mascot Launch – where she took on the additional role of Associate Director.

With over 10 years professional experience in Strategic Management and Corporate Development, Anna Bond is responsible for combining the artistic vision with the business realities. She has managed and coordinated talent, performers and VIPs for a variety of VANOC’s large-scale, high profile events, which include Imagine 2010, Decision 2010, Celebrate Canada and the 2010 Olympic Mascot Launch.
   
Robert Sondergaard’s expertise spans more than 15 years with lighting design credits that include the Opening Ceremonies for the BC Canada Pavilion,  the 2005 Grey Cup Half-Time Show, and the 21st Annual Gemini Awards.  Robert was the Lighting Designer for VANOC’s Celebrate Canada, Imagine 2010 and the 2010 Olympic Mascot Launch.

For more than 20 years, Paul Airey has composed and produced music for multiple radio, television, film and special events, which includes theme songs for both NHL and CFL franchises and the Canada Special Olympics.  Paul has worked on previous VANOC productions as musical supervisor and composer for Decision 2010; producer and composer for the 2010 Olympic Mascot Launch; and musical producer for Imagine 2010 and Come Play with Us.

Heather Connell comes to the Olympic stage with eight years experience in the sport, theatre and special event industries.  She successfully managed the culture, ceremonies, medal presentations and protocol portfolio for the 2005 Canada Summer Games and the 2007 Canada Winter Games.  Heather previously worked with VANOC as project manager for the 2010 Olympic Mascot Launch.

Diane Buirs boasts more than 20 years of international live entertainment production experience.  Her expertise transcends numerous production roles, from Logistics Manager to Talent Director, and most recently as Production Coordinator for the events at the BC Canada Pavilion in Beijing, China.  Diane previously worked with VANOC on Imagine 2010 and the 2010 Official Mascot Launch.

The Opening Ceremony for the X Paralympic Winter Games will be on March 12, 2010 at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver BC.  The Closing Ceremony will be on March 21, 2010 at the Whistler Celebration Plaza in Whistler BC.

More Information
For the official release naming PRP as Producer of the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Opening and Closing Ceremonies, click here
For the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games, click here


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PRP Inc. Media Contact
Ruth Knoop
ruth@prpconnect.com
604.251.7796