Local dancer helps stage FIFA opener

Roger Varley, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Uxbridge dancer Emily Einsmann was part of the opening ceremonies for the first World Cup game held in Canada, but not as a dancer.

Uxbridge dancer Emily Einsmann helped with the FIFA opening ceremonies in Toronto. Photo from Facebook

Einsmann was the cast manager for the opening, which featured 184 cast members. She helped with the auditions and also worked with the choreographer. Over 400 people turned up for the auditions. She also mentioned that she was joined by Uxbridge's Emily Paulic, who worked on wardrobe.

Einsmann said that although planning had been in the works for some time, the cast didn't start rehearsing until just over a week before the event.

It was not Einsmann's first experience on the world stage. She also worked on the opening for the FIFA Arab Cup in Qatar.

She said working on the opening ceremonies was "a great sense of rush and excitement," but she revealed that she did not get to watch the football game, in which Canada tied Bosnia and Herzegovina 1-1.

She said, however, she was glad to get back to Uxbridge and is looking forward to this year's version of The Nutcracker at the Uxbridge Music Hall, produced every two years by her dance teacher mother, Nancy.

"It's as much fun and value as the World Cup," she said.

Einsmann said she started her own company last year called EMPWR to take on casting, dance competitions and dance conventions, She said she hopes to funnel Uxbridge youth in various projects,