WGI Sport of the Arts competitors also will be a part of the “Glee” episode which will air Thursday, Sept. 27. Ten performers will be spinning flags in the episode, according to WGI Sport of the Arts Executive Director Ron Nankervis.
The organization invited “Glee” choreographer Zach Woodlee to attend the WGI Sport of the Arts World Championship competitions in April 2012 at the University of Dayton Arena. Woodlee called Nankervis in August to discuss casting performers to appear in the show.
“It was … an amazing experience to be able to work with choreographers such as Zach Woodlee and Scott Chandler (WGI Hall of Fame member); they work really well together,” said Amanda Adams, 26, who performs in both ‘Glee’ episodes. “It was kind of like the same kind of feeling as if you are stepping into the (University of Dayton) Arena for the first day and you have butterflies in your stomach, and everybody’s going to see what you love to do.”
Ashley Llamas, 21, was featured in the “Glee” episode that aired Thursday, Sept. 20.
“It was a ton of fun, especially because all the people and the staff, the entire environment, it was so different than what I am used to,” she said. ” … It was really nice to bounce around from area to area at a fast speed trying to get it all done.”
WGI Sport of the Arts is a nonprofit youth organization, whose world headquarters are in Miamisburg, that produces indoor color guard and percussion ensemble competitions. Each April, the organization brings 40,000 people to Dayton for the WGI World Championship competitions.
“It is an incredible opportunity to share the talents of our performers with over seven million fans of ‘Glee’ last night,” Nankervis said Friday, Sept. 21. “We have always known the uniqueness of our activity, but to be asked to appear on a popular TV show seen around the world not once, but twice, is going to expose WGI to what the city of Dayton has welcomed for 28 years. We hope to continue this relationship with [the] show and are in talks for future appearances.”
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