An opening performance has a unique job to do. It captures the room, sets the energy and signals that the evening has begun.
For the Sydney Swans Awards Gala 2026, The Play Agency created a custom show with that moment in mind. Our behind-the-scenes film follows Chantelle, the creative visionary behind the performance, offering a closer look at the artistry and collaboration that bring an idea to the stage.
Through Chantelle’s eyes
The film tells the story behind the opening moment, following the creative thinking and work that guests rarely get to see.
For Chantelle, that means considering how individual elements will come together as one performance. How should the opening feel? Where should the audience’s attention go? How can the show build energy and create a sense of occasion?
Those questions shape the creative direction. Each decision contributes to the experience, connecting the initial vision with what the audience eventually sees.
Bringing the vision together
Creating a custom show is a collaborative process. Ideas need to be communicated, explored and refined with the people who will bring them to life.
It is also where the detail matters. Movement, pacing and the relationship between performers all influence how a moment lands. The creative work continues as the performance takes shape, with each refinement helping the show feel cohesive.
Chantelle’s film opens a window into that process: the concentration, the collaboration and the many moving parts behind a seemingly effortless moment.
A performance with purpose
Working with the Sydney Swans team throughout the year gave this project a meaningful context. The gala was an opportunity to bring that ongoing relationship into a bespoke creative expression for an important night on the club’s calendar.
Our approach was to create an opening with presence and purpose, giving guests a shared moment that would set the tone for the celebrations ahead.
That is what we love about custom entertainment. It gives us the freedom to build around the occasion, shaping a performance that belongs to the event and the people in the room.
The making is part of the story
The finished show is what the audience remembers. This film celebrates the people and creative work behind it.
With Chantelle’s vision at its heart, the making of the Sydney Swans gala opening offers a glimpse into how we work at The Play Agency: imagining a moment, bringing the right people together and carrying the idea through to performance.
Watch the film for a closer look behind the curtain.
