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Cecilia Arnould Rachner, Artist, Casting Director, Artistic Coach, Creative Advisor, and Production Manager has always had two passions: working artistically and preserving nature. Now, the mosaic pieces of her impressive career have aligned in the founding her own company: The Six Foot Creation (SFC) Foundation. This will soon also be followed by the Chimera Gala, a culmination of Cecilia’s work and passions thus far. In our interview, Cecilia gives us some fascinating as well as charming insights into her career. This is part 2 of 2.
Evolving from a career as a high-level synchronized swimmer, Cecilia has always been fascinated by the Aquatic world and its creatures.
As a child already, Cecilia’s dream career was to study Cetaceans and the preservation of wildlife in general.
First however, she followed her love for artistic and cultural work, and chose a path in the theatrical and Live Entertainment Industry.
She has established herself as one of the most sought-after casting directors, artistic coaches, creative advisors, and production managers for some of the world’s leading companies.
Franco Dragone Group, Balich Worldwide Shows, Five Currents, Cirque Eloize and Showtime Entertainment Production.
Philanthropist at heart, her first project began with the “Association Princesse Grace de Monaco” undertaking cultural action, and support for 90 pre-professional dancers.
Recently, Cecilia has worked in numerous ways to support Ukrainian war refugee artists and their families.
The SFC Foundation is a true culmination of her life’s work and passions.
During casting for the Han Show in, I crossed paths with Brandon Birchak. Unbeknownst to me then, it would be with him and Melissa James with whom I would enter into the endeavor of a lifetime.
Back in Wuhan at the time, Brandon sent in his reel in the hopes to be cast for the large aquatic show by Dragone Entertainment.
I hired him very quickly once I took a look at his footage. I just had a great feeling and called him. We had a quick interview by phone. And I knew he was a good match for the project. But he was so surprised to get the job.
When he arrived in Wuhan, we instantly had a good connection. He loved France. We talked a lot and realized that less than a year before we had performed in the same TV show without being aware of it.
He had done high diving and I had done synchronized swimming. It had been for a Belgian TV show.
We started to become friends. He did many things in the Han Show: juggler, high diver, Russian Swing, hand balancing. Brandon was very gifted and dedicated.
After I finished the job in Wuhan, I wanted to come home. But first I prepared everything for a new project in Xishuangbanna.
Afterwards, I needed to widen my horizons. I still worked with Laurent, but for a different company in Dubai. It was all about stunts. I went to India for the casting. It was such a different world to do casting with poor people in the Indian slums.
Then, I did a second stunt show in Dubai. It included FMX. For me, this was the first show in which I ended up calling the show myself. No one taught me. I had to figure it out myself.
After Dubai followed China again. It was another show with FMX riders. However, we had more performers. It was another level. The stage was much bigger, and we had an audience of almost 3000 people. For this show, I ended up doing 6 different positions at the same time: production manager, general stage manager, show caller, coach, etc.
As it comes to coaching, in fact, I always did some coaching in all the shows I worked on.
Then, I worked in Wuxi, China as casting director. This went very smooth. It was a Franco Dragone show, but I worked with Five Currents production company.
They really gave me their full trust. This is your budget and timeline. They left me to handle everything. And we were very free in our decisions when it came to casting.
Casting specifically was also quite challenging, because Five Currents asked me to find things that I thought do not exist.
But I found all they asked for. For example, they wanted a martial artist who will at the same time also perform as a singer and dancer.
Other companies I worked for over the years (and still work for here and there) are Showtime Entertainment, Balich, and Cirque Eloize.
While my career progressed and I found myself involved in projects around the world, I always tried to also stay fit and train in my artistic disciplines. I always did pole dance, synchronized swimming, and yoga on the side as well.
But as I practiced and performed, I knew I will never be on the same level as before. And you can’t help but compare yourself to that fitter and younger version you used to be.
In Abu Dhabi, I performed as the mermaid in the Abu Dhabi Aquarium for a while.
It was a nice experience. You spend 7 minutes in the water and underwater. It is salty. And the kids are so hooked. They love every second of it.
At first, I thought it’s so kitschy. But actually, it was lovely. Because in the end some guys lift us mermaids out of the water and they bring us to the audience, to the kids. All of them have sparkling eyes. It’s their dream come true. And in that moment, they believe they are meeting real mermaids. I loved performing there. I really felt like I was giving something.
Anyhow, all of what I just described pretty much led up and added up to what I am doing now with my own production company Six Foot Creation (SFC) Foundation.
I always kept in touch with Brandon.
Then he came and visited me when I worked in Dubai.
At some point during that time, we started to brainstorm together. And we started talking about creating projects together.
It was the kind of long night during which you can’t sleep because you’re too excited talking about changing the world.
Our conversation was very intense and beautiful at the same time. But then, I didn’t think further about it. Because I was so absorbed with daily work and life.
Then, some years later, Brandon and I talked again, and he said, “I’ve done it. And I need you. Because you are the only person I trust to bring this to life.”
Brandon began to explain that he had been contacted by a few important people to do some shows. But he really needed my input. I started to investigate and brainstorm. Brought my aesthetic views to the table… and we spoke about what it should become.
So, we, Brandon Birchak, Melissa James, and I began working on setting up the SFC Foundation together and started setting things in motion for an amazing gala, the Chimera Gala, which will happen in 2023.
Not long after, I watched a TV show with Scottish actor and philanthropist Sam Heughan.
He founded My Peak Challenge, a global movement dedicated to educating and inspiring its members to live healthier, happier, and more balanced lives while raising funds to change lives. Their ethos is simple: Help yourself while helping others.
He manages to do something I have always tried to achieve: to find a way to combine his love for fitness and his love for charity work into something that makes a real difference in the world.
I was very impressed. So, I got my membership to his program. When you have a membership there you have access to a full year of training, meal plan, yoga sessions, mindfulness, etc.
A large part of your membership fee goes to charity.
Through this program I heard of a gala they were involved in. Tickets were sold out, but I found one, nevertheless. At first I thought, this is way too expensive. But things aligned in a way that brought me to think, “Who cares about the money. Just go.”
At this gala, I met the founder of One Tree Planted. I met his team, and his project director who told me about the Orcas and wanting to do something to help protect them.
This was the moment, when everything that I had experienced from my childhood to that very moment aligned. And I knew we would work together. And that I would organize a gala, incorporating Brandon and his partner Melissa’s amazing project.
I always struggled to find a balance between my love for nature, for the wild, with my love for everything artistic. My need for performance and fitness. And my artistic and aesthetic aspirations.
I believe artists are in this world as a catalyst for change in society.
And I realized, this is it. I have finally found my way. A way which combines everything that defines me and that I have always valued.
Chimera is aquatic. It is a place where I am comfortable. It is aesthetic, poetic. And we’ll give meaning to it.
Brandon and Melissa and I, we all love the aquatic element and the oceans. Our heart is very much in protecting the ocean and aquatic life.
The first gala we are producing, the Chimera Gala, will take place next year, in 2023. In cannot divulge more yet. However soon we will release further news on our project.
I want to have this gala as a yearly event. A gala for activism and artistry. A stage to talk, present art, and present ideas which will impact the world in a positive manner.
Much still needs to be done. We are still searching for more sponsors. And investing a lot personally. But this is it. The dream. And we are making it a reality.
Homepage Six Foot Creations Foundation
One Tree Planted Orcas and Trees
The Six Foot Creations Foundation Presents the Chimera Gala
Cecilia Arnould Rachner – a Life Aquatic: An Interview (1/2)
Liam Klenk was born in Central Europe and has since lived on four continents. Liam has always been engaged in creative pursuits, ranging from photography and graphic design, to writing short stories and poetry, to working in theatre and shows. In 2016, Liam published his first book and memoir, 'Paralian'.
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