Olympic organizers are looking for thousands of people to perform and animate the Paralympic Games opening and closing ceremonies.
"We're looking for thousands of people who are brimming with enthusiasm and wear their hearts on their sleeves to perform in these large-scale productions," said David Guscott, VANOC's executive vice-president of celebrations and partnerships.
"No previous experience is necessary.
"We want the audience and athletes to get swept up in the magic as we celebrate their incredible stories and encourage them to reach for their dreams here in Canada in 2010."
All performers aged six or older as of Sept. 1, 2009 are invited to apply at www.vancouver2010.com/ceremonies.
The deadline for applications is Oct. 9, 2009.
A creative team from across Canada, announced last month, has been assembled by ceremonies producer Patrick Roberge Productions (PRP) to stage the ceremonies and direct the 5,000 volunteer performers.
"We can hardly wait to meet these volunteers and work with them," said Roberge.
"They're going to have an amazing experience. We're going to have some spectacular performance components that showcase dance, highlight unique abilities and celebrate the athletes."
On March 12, 2010 the Opening Ceremony for the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games will take place at BC Place in downtown Vancouver in front of 55,000 people, including more than 1,000 of the world's top Paralympic athletes, coaches and officials.
Nine days later, the Games will draw to a close in Whistler in a unique outdoor amphitheatre designed especially for the Olympic and Paralympic Victory Ceremonies and the Paralympic Closing Ceremony.
Olympic organizers want volunteer performers from the Sea to Sky region to highlight the picturesque community.
Tickets are still available for both Paralympic ceremonies and can be purchased later this fall when Phase 3 of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games ticketing program is launched. Tickets are $30 to $175. For more information, visit www.vancouver2010.com.
Auditions will take place over several months starting in October. There will be no open casting calls and auditions will be scheduled by invitation to online applicants.
Candidates will be notified by the end of November if they have been successful in landing a ceremonies role. Rehearsals start in January, on evenings and weekends, and will take a two-week break during the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games from Feb. 12 to 28, 2010. Rehearsals will resume on March 1 with increased length and frequency, and will continue throughout the Paralympic Winter Games period.
Other volunteers are needed for both the Olympics and Paralympics, though more are needed for the latter. At the top of the list are drivers for VIPs along with customer and event services and information booth personnel. Languages, especially French, are an asset.
To apply to volunteer go to www.vancouver2010.com and follow the links.
