Toronto 2015 announces that Cirque du Soleil will create the Opening Ceremony of the Toronto 2015 Pan Am Games.
The one-night performance will be broadcast to hundreds of millions of households throughout the Americas and Caribbean on July 10, 2015.
Yasmine Khalil, director of Cirque du Soleil’s events and special projects division said, “Cirque du Soleil is proud and deeply honoured to join TO2015 as a sponsor and Official Creative Partner for the Opening Ceremony of the Toronto 2015 Pan Am Games. We are excited to create an original production for this special occasion”.
The Montreal-based Cirque du Soleil has created 34 shows attended by more than 100 million people around the world.
Cirque du Soleil and the Toronto 2015 Pan American/Parapan American Organizing Committee (TO2015) will design the Opening Ceremony that will showcase not only Cirque’s “outstanding” troupe of performers, but also Ontario artists and volunteers, who will be recruited from local schools and community organizations closer to Games time.
Ian Troop, CEO of TO2015 said, “Cirque du Soleil has an unmatched international reputation for staging some of the most imaginative and mesmerizing shows ever performed. That magic, along with their world-class performers – many former athletes themselves – promises a thrilling Opening Ceremony for the Games that celebrates the wonderful diversity of the Toronto region and all of Canada, as well as the vibrant cultures of the American and Caribbean”.
The troupe’s professional members represent 50 nationalities and speak 25 different languages. The touring company is actively involved in promoting social equality and goodwill towards young people.
The cost of the Opening Ceremony was not announced, but the overall budget is $1.4 billion.
Tickets for the Games go on sale mid-2014 and will be available at Toronto2015.org.
