Team
Who We Are
Your success depends on the strength of our team.
STEVE GALE
Steve Gale
President/ Owner
Steve@imaginationent.com
Steve’s career in entertainment began at Disneyland in 1994. Since then, he has become a sought-after professional in many areas of the entertainment industry. Steve has worked as an acrobatic performer, rigger, creative consultant, director and stunt coordinator, among other titles. His knowledge and experience have taken him all over the world working on projects for Cirque Du Soleil, Cavalia, Zinzanni, the NBA, the NFL, and the Olympics in 2000 and 2002. Steve has also been involved in several television shows including NBC’s ‘The Cape’, ‘Celebrity Circus’ and most recently ‘The World’s Best’ on CBS. Most recently, Steve has been welding and creating new acrobatic props and continues to push the boundaries with new entertainment ideas. Steve lives in San Diego, also home to his ‘Cirque De La Mer’ production at SeaWorld, the park’s top-rated show that has entertained over 20 million audience members from 2001-2016.
AMY GALE
Amy Gale
Executive Producer/ Co-owneragale@imaginationent.com
Amy started with Imagination Entertainment as the Co-Creator, Show Manager and Choreographer of ‘Cirque De La Mer’ which premiered at SeaWorld in 2001. She moved into producing the company’s theatrical show productions, special event entertainment and international tours. Her entertainment background comes from 20+ years of performing as a professional dancer, show director and choreographer in Los Angeles and around the world. Amy grew up in Palos Verdes and holds a Bachelor’s Degree from UCLA and is thrilled to now be the Co-Owner of Imagination Entertainment with her husband Steve.
JASON MYHRE
SHOW DIRECTOR/ CHOREOGRAPHER
Jason is a graduate of the Chicago Academy for the Arts High School. His dance training also includes scholarships from Gus Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago, Chicago City Ballet, LA Dance Academy and EDGE Performing Arts Center. Jason has performed in numerous industrials for Disney, Kraft, Six Flags, and showcases around the Los Angeles area. He is a noted choreographer for many different genres as well. Highlights include such names as; Rihanna, Paula Abdul, Blake Shelton, Willow Smith, Robin Thicke, Paulina Rubio, Ciara, Shakira, Mariah Carey, The Pussycat Dolls, Babyface, Ricky Martin, Janet Jackson, Aerosmith, Mötley Crüe, Stacie Orrico, Lil’ Kim, LA Clipper Girls, Kristi Yamaguchi, Rory Flack-Burghart, Old Navy, Mary Kay Cosmetics, Imagination Entertainment, Smitten Blu, Wayans Brothers hit movie “White Chicks,” television shows for FOX and ABC. Jason has worked with such artists on World Tours, Music Videos, featured club acts, corporate parties, EMMY and OSCAR Governors Balls, as well as television specials and commercials. He also teaches at EDGE PAC, Loyola Marymount University, Hollywood Dance Experience, LA Dance Magic Final Cut, and master classes across the nation.
Antonio Moore
Antonio grew up in Chicago competing in gymnastics and performing with the Triton Trooper Circus. He became a walk-on gymnast at the University of Illinois and shortly after moved to California to perform in our Cirque de la Mer show at SeaWorld San Diego. He has continued to be a sought-after performer in the industry and has performed acrobatics in over ten different Cirque du Soleil shows around the world! He most recently worked as a head coach and consultant for new projects for Cirque de Soleil. He has also worked with Cirque Mechanics, the WNBA and as a featured stuntman in films and commercials.
GENA CRISTIANI
Gena Cristiani
Cirque/ Acrobatic Costume Designer/ Performer
info@imaginationent.com
Gena is a fifth generation Russian circus artist and renowned juggling champion. After years of drawing out designs for costumes and sketching artists she admired, she began creating her own works of art in several different mediums. Gena is inspired by the colorful world of circus and variété, and her costumes, drawings, and paintings exude an effervescent and whimsical quality that captures the mystique of the talented artists in her work. Gena has designed and created for customers in circus, ballroom dance, fitness, equestrian art, and circus competitions worldwide. Gena also continues to be an in-demand performer herself. She has won at the World Juggling Festival and achieved silver medals in competitions in Paris and Monte Carlo. She was a star attraction with The Ringling Bros, Barnum & Bailey, and has travelled the world performing in circuses, theaters, corporate shows, orchestras.
QUALITY PERFORMERS
Our Work
MEDIA
Below are LINKS to some of our various Cirque Shows we have created over the past 22 years. Our shows include iL CiRCo, ‘Cirque De La Mer’ at SeaWorld, and our new recent show ‘Cirque Del Mare’. We also have media content from NBC’s Celebrity Circus, NFL’s Super Bowl VIP party, as well as various galas, fundraisers and private events. If you have any questions please contact us.
CIRQUE SHOW MONTAGE REEL
Project
Description
Highlights from some of our favorite shows and events over the past 22 years.
Project Details
- Specialty entertainment, rigging and/or equipment for Cirque Du Soleil, NBC’s Celebrity Circus, Pirate’s Voyage in Myrtle Beach, the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas and Viva Fest. Also included are corporate event clients including events for Qualcomm, many Fortune 500 Companies. Please contact us so we can help provide you with a one of a kind Cirque Show of your own!
- DATE: 1998 – Current
- WORK: CIRQUE SHOWS, AERIALISTS, CIRQUE, ACROBATS, GROUND ACTS, RIGGING, PERFORMERS, DANCERS, STATIC and DYNAMIC FLYING, CHARACTERS, SINGERS, MUSICIANS, PRODUCTION, MOTOR OPERATION, STAGING, MUSIC, DIRECTION, CHOREOGRAPHY and MORE.
iL CiRCo ‘Viaggio’ Videos
Project
Description
Whimsical characters and artfully choreographed performances by our international troupe of acrobats are discovered along the way in this cirque-style show. Viaggio by iL CIRCo is a captivating story of daring to dream. With its touching story line, dazzling performances and beautiful, original musical score, Viaggio by iL CIRCo reaches all the senses and will be remembered long after the final bows.
Project Details
Various venues, theaters and ballrooms from Greece, Mexico and the United States.
iL CiRCo ‘Viaggio’
Picture Gallery
iL CiRCo – ‘Viaggio’
Whimsical characters and artfully choreographed performances by our international troupe of acrobats are discovered along the way in this cirque-style show. Viaggio by iL CIRCo is a captivating story of daring to dream. With its touching story line, dazzling performances and beautiful, original musical score, Viaggio by iL CIRCo reaches all the senses and will be remembered long after the final bows.
Cirque Del Mare
Project
Description
Cirque Del Mare is one of our newest projects that is a family friendly aquatic themed acrobatic show set IN the water.
The floating ‘stage’ is a self-contained, portable, moving theatrical circus spectacle in itself. The show travels on an innovative pedal driven 18’ high stage-like mechanical apparatus, which can be performed on land or on water. This modern twist on the circus caravan is truly a sight to see. It’s impressive height allows for great sponsor and/or event branding opportunities as well.
Project Details
- CLIENT: The Ministry of Bahrain
- DATE: November 2019
- SHOW TYPE: Public Festival
- WORK: Produced and directed, created unique themed specialty acts with custom fabrication of apparatuses, music editing, themed costume design and fabrication and acrobatic rigging. Hired a multi talented cast and handled all international logistics – including shipping of equipment, visas and travel.
PETCO PARK ACROBATICS
Project
Description
Working with San Diego’s PEP Creative, we were brought in to create an acrobatic wonderland on the field of Petco Park, home of the San Diego Padres, for a private corporate event. Our challenge was to load in, set up, rehearse, perform and tear down everything, including a full size flying trapeze rig, without ground stakes or damaging the field. We also had other themed acts including Russian Bar, Hand Balancing, Chinese Poles and various characters mingling throughout the two hour event. Months of planning, meetings, coordination and schematics submitted to the City preceded the actual event. We hit a home run as all went smoothly and the entertainment was a big hit!
Project Details
- CLIENT: Fortune 500 Company
- DATE: Summer 2017
- SHOW TYPE: Corporate Private Event
- WORK: Google SketchUp renderings, conceptual creative concepts, all logistics in regards to rigging, planning, rehearsing, setup and strike of entertainment elements.
JUMP, JIVE and FLY
Project
Description
Jump, Jive and Fly takes us back in time to the 1940’s USO era, where we revisit the iconic characters and music that made the period so memorable. Brought to life with headlining singers, energetic dancers and world-class acrobats, this show is accompanied with music from the Andrew Sisters and the Big Band orchestras and classic dances such as the Lindy Hop and Swing, not to mention our acrobatic Rosie the Riveters, who are always a highlight of the event. Patriotic and entertaining, Jump, Jive and Fly is a welcome transport back in time!
Project Details
- CLIENT: San Diego Military Defense Company
- DATE: December 2018
- SHOW TYPE: Corporate Private Event
- WORK: Creative show script, full show concept, costume design, set design, music production, choreography and direction. This show was custom tailored to the client utilizing the military and structuring their company into the event.
Viva Fest
Project Description
Since its inception in 2017, this festival has quickly grown into an internationally recognized event. VIVA FEST includes The World Circus Arts Championships, nearly 400 amateur acts from around the world, and over 200 workshops, professional seminars, and a variety of live shows. The VIVA Fest is the first circus competition of its kind offering a venue for aspiring circus performers to showcase their skills alongside the top acts in the world.
Project Details
- CLIENT: Viva Fest
- DATE: 2018, 2019
- WORK: We are proud to be sponsors of Viva Fest and love helping the circus community grow and flourish. We are also in charge of the aerial rigging, motor operation and members of the overall planning committee, as well as judges for the competition.
NFL SUPER BOWL
VIP PARTY
Project
Description
Project Details
- CLIENT: NFL VIP Super Bowl Party – MetLIfe Arena
- DATE: February 2014
- WORK: Power Point proposals, Google Sketch-up renderings, rigging, costuming creation, off site choreography and rehearsals, management and all the logistics for talent including enhanced security details.
Urban Style Cirque
Project
Description
Our URBAN STYLE CIRQUE show is unique in that it merges amazing raw talent, contemporary music and costuming into a more current and edgy theatrical experience.
From the streets of downtown San Diego to the high end beachfront resort Terranea, we highlighted custom themed performances that were also accompanied by a live DJ. In both events, we blended the performances into the literal backdrop of the venue – from parkour happening along a hotel staircase to a full size truss structure where aerial acts performed smack in the middle of the street! Our unique challenge for the downtown event was having only a 24 hour permit to close the street to set up, rehearse, perform and tear down. It was an incredible challenge and opportunity for us.
Project Details
- CLIENT: Two separate Fortune 500 Companies
- WORK: Power Point proposals, Google Sketch-up renderings, rigging, costuming creation, off site choreography and rehearsals, management and all logistics for talent including 23 performers, 2 specialty acrobatic riggers, and 2 stage management personnel.
Cirque De La Mer
Project
Description
Working with SeaWorld San Diego, Scenery West, All Access Staging, and the San Diego Coastal Commission, we designed, produced, created and brought to life a show like no other- an acrobatic water show that is now in its 20th year.
Brightly colored sea creatures roam a surreal waterfront landscape. These whimsical creatures captivate the audience as they demonstrate their super-human abilities through exhilarating acrobatic feats.
Each member of the international cast brings unique gifts from the circus arts. Like our iL CiRCo productions, Cirque de la Mer features the highest level of talent with specialized, painstakingly honed skills. Their art is blended with imaginative costumes, sophisticated production elements and an intriguing story line.
The Trapeze Bungee, Trampolines and Tumble Track, Chinese Poles, and Russian Swing never fail to thrill audiences! Imagination Entertainment’s creative team premiered these water-based cirque-style feats at Sea World in 2001.
Project Details
- CLIENT: SeaWorld San Diego
- DATE: April 2001 – September 2006
- WORK: Produced and directed, Choreography, Set Design,
- Costume Design, Talent: Audition, Training of Specialty Acrobatics. All logistics involved with scheduling a cast of 40 people for 7 days a week for a 3 month show over 6 years.
The Greatest Showman
Project
Description
With song, dance and acrobatics, we bring this music from the hit movie ‘The Greatest Showman’ to life. Truly a spectacle to behold onstage as our cast of amazing singers and dancers, along with some of the world’s best acrobats take us on a journey back to the era of vintage circus set to the iconic songs made so popular from the movie.
Project Details
- CLIENT: Multiple Corporate Clients
- DATE: 2019-2020
- WORK: Rigging, Producing, Directing, Graphics, and Show Logistics
Cirque Show Gallery
Project
Description
We are updating this page please come back soon. Here is an image gallery of various characters from many of our shows and events through out the 22 years of Imagination Entertainment.
Project Details
- CLIENT: Multiple
- DATE: 1998-2020
- WORK: Characters
Airotika
Project
Description
Airotika is sexy and sultry with a little sass. We originally created and designed this show for a nightclub in South Korea. It has showstopping acts, sexy costuming and lots of personality.
Project Details
- CLIENT: High End Nightclub in South Korea
- DATE: 2009
- WORK: Google Sketch-up renderings, rigging, costuming creation, off site choreography and rehearsals, management and all logistics of bringing talent from all over the world, including work visas, travel and hospitality for a large cast of performers.
The ‘Beatles’
Project
Description
“Beatles” The Dreamer
A theatrical show that pays tribute to a creative spirit that lives on through this timeless musical sensation.
The musical score has been written and arranged in a way that will please the most-hard core Beatles fans, yet breathes new life into the musical genius behind the originals. It is a brilliant backdrop for the story, the sensational acts, and the unique experience that this show delivers.
Unleash your inner imagination and relive the memories and the music to this stunningly visual performance.
Project Details
- CLIENT: Multiple High End Corporate Clients – Fortune 500
- DATE: Multiple
- WORK: Google Sketch-up renderings, rigging, costuming creation, off site choreography and rehearsals, custom music arrangements and production, management and all logistics for talent.
‘STeaMPuNK CaRNiVaL’
Project
Description
Steampunk Carnival
Our Steampunk Carnival show revolves around this retro futuristic fantasy realm of fashion, culture and art. Created with or without technology and machines, our show has been created best as a alternative style circus. Costumes are a fun mix of Victorian and Industrial, the acts and props are themed and the music is funky and unique to match! A great show for all ages.
Project Details
- CLIENT: Multiple High End Corporate Clients – Fortune 500
- DATE: Multiple dates
- WORK: Google Sketch-up renderings, rigging, costuming creation, off site choreography and rehearsals, music tracks, management and all logistics for talent.
