CASE STUDIES: CEREMONIES
Michigan Wolverines at the Big House
MANAGEMENT
We partnered with University of Michigan Marching Band Director John Pasquale and Assistant Director Richard Frey to create an unforgettable 9/11 20th anniversary halftime tribute performance. This Michigan Marching Band halftime show concept honored the legacy of 9/11 through innovative large-scale design, despite the constraints of a public university budget.
DESIGN DEVELOPMENT
Under John’s creative leadership and Richard’s precise formation design, over 400 University of Michigan Marching Band musicians brought a powerful story of honor and resilience to life on the field. To maximize fan engagement for over 100,000 spectators in Michigan Stadium’s Big House, we developed a fully integrated production program featuring custom costumes, props, lighting design, video content, lasers, blacklight effects, and wearable LED technology.
PRODUCTION
Working in close collaboration with the Michigan Marching Band and a dedicated team of University of Michigan theater majors, we delivered:
- 50 illuminated state emblems created with custom umbrellas featuring state abbreviations;
- Blacklight-painted Dance Squad performers for striking, high-impact camera close-ups;
- PixMob wearable LED technology adapted into programmable shakoes and Honor Guard flags for immersive visual effects;
- Fabricated white coveralls to enhance LED brightness and visual cohesion on the field;
- 32 flashlights used to outline the Twin Towers’ bases, creating a powerful tribute image;
- Professional lighting and laser design contracted from industry vendors to amplify the halftime show’s impact.
This 9/11 halftime tribute performance at the University of Michigan demonstrated how strategic live event production, creative design, and innovative technology can transform marching band shows into meaningful, large-scale audience experiences.
INTEGRATION
We spent an intensive week rehearsing with the University of Michigan Marching Band (MMB) at Elbel Field, making the most of every rehearsal before showtime at the Big House. After finalizing rehearsals, our team worked several more days to build and prepare all props and costumes needed for the halftime performance.
With only one full onsite rehearsal night at Michigan Stadium, we had a tight window to integrate the props, costumes, lighting design, lasers, and wearable LED technology into a seamless live show. Despite the challenges, this University of Michigan halftime show was a grand success, celebrated by all 108,345 fans in attendance.
