What were those odd, light-up, white curvy things people dressed in gem-studded black vests held during Lady Gaga's Superbowl LI half-time show?
Thousands may dream of performing with Lady Gaga, but this dream came true for Cypress Independent winter guard from Houston, Tex. as they backed Lady Gaga during her halftime show.
Due to legal issues, the members could not tell anyone about their performance, so even friends and family were shocked when the guard appeared on TV.
"Due to legality we were not allowed to tell people about our participation in the Super Bowl so it was a big surprise," current Cypress member Luke Christisen said.
The guard rehearsed for two weeks at local stadiums around Houston, Tex. and practiced in low lit conditions in order to toss in the dark. Most practices occurred at Reliant Park in the Expo Center. and NRG. The majority of them ran from 3 p.m.-9 p.m.. for a total of six hours. The guard mainly repped the "Just Dance" choreography and match Lady Gaga's vision for the halftime show as they rehearsed with her dancers.
Former Cypress member Leah Marsh said the Casting Department of Touchdown Productions scouted Cypress Independent because they hoped to use airblades during the halftime show. In addition, several people recommended the guard to the organization since they are one of the most talented groups in Houston.
Current and former Cypress members that fit Touchdown's casting criteria, could throw a quad toss on weapon, and committ to a rigorous rehearsal schedule received offers to join the team, including Christisen and Marsh. Cypress director Tim Newburn collaborated with Touchdown Productions choreographer Mark Evans, who was in constant contact with Lady Gaga's creative team and the Super Bowl producers. Newburn assembled a team of Cypress members — Chris Cook, Chris Tyler, and Marsh herself — to write the routine.
The guard received a special surprise when Lady Gaga approached them during their first rehearsal. Lady Gaga's song "Just Dance" released during Christisen's first season spinning, so he considers seeing her in person a very significant moment in his color guard career.
"If you had told me 11 years ago when I started color guard that I would have had an opportunity like this come my way, I would have thought you were crazy," Christisen said.
Marsh is a Lady Gaga fan and could hardly contain her excitement during as she shared the stage with the famous pop singer.
" I almost don't remember doing choreography! I just remember thinking "Oh my gosh we are performing at the Super Bowl!," Marsh said.
As a dancer herself, the energy Lady Gaga's crew emanated inspired Marsh when she watched them practice.
" It was very inspiring to watch them be full out, rep after rep," Marsh said.
Marsh also felt thankful for the rare performance opportunity.
"To perform at the Super Bowl is a dream I feel every performer has for themselves at one point in time," Marsh said. " So, for me, and the rest of the cast, it was a dream come true to be able to experience a performance of that magnitude.an opportunity many performers dream of. "
Christisen has performed for the past 11 years. He started his color guard career in high school, then continued in college as a Missouri State University color guard member, performed with the Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps for one summer and Blue Knight Drum and Bugle Corps for two summers. He has spent the last three years with Cypress Independent.
Like Christisen, Leah Marsh marched Blue Knights for three summers, but she also served on staff one year. She marched Code Black winter guard in 2009 and Cypress Independent from 2010-2012.
Both Marsh and Christisen felt confident during this experience. Christisen did not feel competitive pressure during this performance and Marsh believes her DCI and WGI background prepared her for any performance in front of thousands in an arena setting.
Guard members spun a newer weapon called an "airblade," which is similar to the traditional, wooden rifle. The airblade, originally designed by Band Shoppe, is made from ABS plastic — the material used in Legos and protective headgear —, weighs about 2.35 pounds, and is 39 inches long. The chrome versions are created using vacuum metalizing and a clear top coat is applied to protect the finish. Several marching color guards and DCI corps have used the product since it first launched in 2008
The airblade has become a new trend in the color guard world and was used on Glee in 2012. Fourteen spinners from various independent color guards — Diamante, Corona, Fantasia, and others — performed to Britney Spear's "Hold it Against Me"
Christisen received his first airblade eight years ago for a birthday present. He loves their futuristic aesthetic and the ways they differ from traditional color guard equipment.
While Christisen already spun an airblade, Marsh used one for the first time during this event and easily transitioned to a new weapon since the company who crafted them catered to the cast's needs.
This was Christisen's second television performance. He first appeared in an opening segment of "America's Got Talent" with his college marching band. He explained how the feeling of accomplishment that followed the show was the best part of this incredible experience.
"This was better than any gold medal or award I could ever dream of," Christisen said.
Marsh felt grateful for the opportunity to reunite with her Cypress family and meet the guard's current members.
"Honestly, the best part of the experience was being reunited with so many wonderful people. It made my heart so full again," Marsh said.
