This 82-page souvenir program is an example of those that sold on 9 and 13 September 2000 at dress rehearsals for the Olympic Games Opening Ceremony. Retailing for AUD$15, the publications detailed the eight ceremony segments and included lists of directors, composers, conductors, choreographers, cast and crew. Behind this publication, a small production team consisted of two designers, John Yates and Samantha Wright, two editors, Paul Childs and Cate Bailey, and a photographer, Kylie Melinda Smith. Allsport supplied additional photographs.

A sense of intimacy and informality set this publication apart from the later, Opening and Closing Ceremony programs that largely ignored the individuals who contributed to the events. The rehearsal program, with its colour photographs and descriptions of ceremony segments, reveals the efforts and ideas that shaped the production - a symbolic projection of Australia's history, culture and environment. Specifically, it provides a view onto the production workshops and the teams of designers and technicians that made the event seem effortless and animated. Other content includes lyrics to ceremony songs, and preludes from former Olympic swimmer, Dawn Fraser, the Director of Ceremonies, Ric Birch, and the Artistic Director, David Atkins.

Initially, the two dress rehearsals were planned as ticketed events that would raise revenue for SOCOG. However, the plans were soon abandoned in favour of distributing tickets, free of charge, to sponsors and members of the Olympic Club. (The Club was launched in February 1998 to enable members to purchase Olympic merchandise and to win tickets in a weekly draw. Ultimately, 72,000 Olympic tickets were distributed through this system.)

For the first dress rehearsal, 87 per cent of tickets were given to members of the Olympic Club and to volunteers, while a further 4 per cent were given to Athletes' Family Hosts - members of the general public who billeted athletes' families (an initiative of the Rotary Club of Sydney). The remainder was given largely to Olympic sponsors. For the second dress rehearsal, over 40 per cent of tickets were allocated to special members of the Olympic Club, while an additional 35 per cent were awarded to parents whose children were performing in the Opening Ceremony. Volunteers and sponsors also received allocations, as did winners and ambassadors of ticket promotions.

Behind this publication, 'Souvenir Program, Olympic Opening Ceremony Rehearsal', was a small production team that consisted of two designers, John Yates and Samantha Wright, two editors, Paul Childs and Cate Bailey, and a photographer, Kylie Melinda Smith. Allsport supplied additional photographs.

The dress rehearsal program was printed on gloss-paper, and was published by the Sydney Organising Committee for the Olympic Games in Sydney, 2000.

Though these copies of the rehearsal program are unused, they are identical to those that retailed at the rehearsals on 9 and 13 September for AUD$15.

Made for and owned by the Olympic Coordination Authority/Sydney Organising Committee for the Olympic Games, and donated to the Powerhouse Museum after use in the Games.

Program, dress rehearsal for the Olympic Games, Sydney, 2000 Opening Ceremony, paper, printed by the Sydney Organising Committee for the Olympic Games, Sydney 2000

Programme for Opening Ceremony Rehearsal, gloss paper. The front and back cover feature a section of the Sydney Opera house at dawn with an athlete holding the Olympic torch standing on the Opera House Forecourt. White text "Olympic / Opening Ceremony" Written vertically in large text down the middle of the front cover "2000/ Sydney" below this are the Olympic Rings. Black text "Souvenir Program / $15inc GST". Written vertically in black "Rehearsal". The inside back and front covers feature a glowing Waratah. Introductions have been written by Sir William Deane, Juan Antonio Samaranch, Michael Knight, Ric Birch and David Atkins. Following this there is information about each section of the programme including colour photos. The back of the book lists all those involved in the Opening Ceremony - major contributors are listed with headshots and some personal information.

Made: 2000

2001/84/263

2000

210 mm