Registrations Now Open - Calls for Community Involvement in the Opening and Closing Ceremonies

The Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation (GOLDOC) today announced a once in a lifetime opportunity for members of the public to join the volunteer cast performing in the Opening and Closing Ceremonies being staged at Carrara Stadium next year.

Up to 4,000 volunteer performing cast members representing the breadth and diversity of the Gold Coast community are required to perform alongside established and celebrated professional artists. Previous performing experience or special skills are not required, just enthusiasm and a passion to represent the Gold Coast’s heart and soul.

GOLDOC Chairman, Peter Beattie AC said today’s announcement was an exciting opportunity for locals to experience one of the most thrilling aspects of the Games – to perform in front of a live audience and millions of TV viewers.

"The Opening and Closing Ceremonies represent an extraordinary occasion for thousands of local people to be a part of GC2018," said Mr Beattie.

"To perform in such a high profile event is something they will remember forever."

Minister for the Commonwealth Games, Kate Jones said the opportunity to be part of the Opening and Closing Ceremonies is something that comes along once-in-a-lifetime.

"It’s a great opportunity to get behind one of the greatest success stories for the Gold Coast.

"It will be a game changer and a rolled gold opportunity to showcase all that is great about the Gold Coast.

"With a global TV audience of 1.5 billion watching the Opening and Closing ceremonies, that level of exposure is priceless.

"One of the best ways to show the world what the Gold Coast has to offer is through one of our best assets – our people.

GOLDOC CEO, Mark Peters spoke about the significance of the Ceremonies for the Gold Coast community.

"The world will be watching us during the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, so we are inviting proud Gold Coast residents who are passionate about representing their community and showing the rest of Australia and the Commonwealth what we are made of, to give it a go and submit an application."

Applications to be part of the volunteer performance cast, which covers both the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, open at 10am today, Monday 14 August and will close at midnight on Sunday 3 September. Auditions are then due to commence in October.

For further information about how to apply, and for an online application form, please go to gc2018.com/take-part/ceremonies.

For more information, please email media@goldoc.com.

OPENING AND CLOSING CEREMONIES BACKGROUND

Opening Ceremony

On 4 April 2018, the Gold Coast will welcome thousands of fans, athletes and officials for the XXI Commonwealth Games.

This will be a momentous day for the Gold Coast as the biggest event in its history begins and sets the tone for 11 amazing days of world-class sporting competition. There’ll be spectacular, uplifting and surprising moments of theatre, breathtaking visual effects, dancing and music.

As a showcase of culture, colour, unity and diversity, the Opening Ceremony will epitomise the spirit of the Gold Coast and Queensland.

Carrara Stadium will be the centre stage for glamour, theatre and entertainment as the venue for the Opening Ceremony.

Closing Ceremony

The curtain will draw on the XXI Commonwealth Games on 15 April but not before one final celebration in true Gold Coast style.

Eleven days after a spectacular opening, the Closing Ceremony will deliver a fitting tribute to the remarkable athletic feats, extraordinary teamwork and marvellous community participation on show throughout the Games.

Carrara Stadium will host the Closing Ceremony with an emotional, fun and dazzling finale.

As the baton is passed to the 2022 Commonwealth Games, the Gold Coast will say its goodbyes and show the world that it knows a thing or two about throwing a great party.

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