https://www.linkedin.com/in/gustavocollesiportifolio/
https://gustavocollesi.com/
International live entertainment professional with over 25 years with experience across multiple segments of the industry. He has led complex productions as a Production Stage Manager and Show Caller, while also contributing creatively as a Creative Director for events and festivals. His portfolio includes large scale events, ceremonies,sports, corporate events, music festivals,and musical theatre, consistently delivering world-class live experiences.
Delivered live entertainment projects ranging from global ceremonies including the Olympic Games, FIFA World Cup, Copa América and Expo 2020 Dubai, to international festivals, major sporting events, corporate events and award winning musical theatre productions such as Les Misérables, The Lion King, Wicked and Miss Saigon, among others.
Note: Below is a selection of my most relevant projects. Not all of them are included in the Employment section
LARGE SCALE EVENTS | CEREMONIES
Rally Dakar 2023 | 2025 | 2026
FIFA World Cup - Brazil 2014 & Qatar 2022
FIFA World Cup U17 - Qatar
CONMEBOL Copa América 2019 & 2021
NFL São Paulo Game Halftime Show 2024 | 2025 | 2026
Olympics & Paralympics Rio 2016
Riyadh Season Opening Ceremony 2022 with Cirque du Soleil | Riyadh Season Opening Ceremony 2025 Macy's Parade
Saudi Games 2022 (SAGA)
CAF - Super African Cup 2024
World Combat Games 2023
Longines LGCT & GCAT 2024
UFC 2014 - 2020
EXPO Dubai 2020
Women's Premier League 2026
Women's Cup 2026
Red Sea Film Festival 2023
Billboard Music Awards Arabia 2024
MUSICAL THEATRE
The Lion King
Wicked
Les Miserables
Addams Family
Mamma Mia!
Miss Saigon
The Phantom of the Opera
The Beauty and the Beast
Cats
Little Mermaid
Once Upon a Time in Dubai
Two events merit special mention:
As the Creative Director for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022's Awards & Trophy Ceremony, Gustavo reimagining its format and elevating it into a dynamic, immersive, and broadcast-driven production. Gustavo brought the Awards & Trophy Ceremony to the same level of creative ambition and production value as the Opening and Closing Ceremonies by creating dramatic value for every moment of the ceremony. From the projection-led stage reveal to the introduction of each award category, every transition was carefully designed to build anticipation and reinforce the storytelling. His creative vision combined theatrical lighting, projection, and an original musical score composed specifically for the ceremony to give each moment its own emotional identity. The winners were revealed only at the decisive moment through the synchronized use of projection, music, lighting, and the announcer's narration, while the trophy was ceremonially brought onto the stage by a FIFA Legend. The announcer was conceived as the conductor of the experience, with the pacing, atmosphere, and emotional intensity carefully orchestrated to evolve throughout the ceremony, transforming each award presentation into a memorable theatrical experience rather than a simple protocol sequence.
Expo 2020 Dubai is etched in his memory for its grandiosity. Here, Gustavo's designation as the Production Stage Manager for the Daily Entertainment Program led him to direct an ensemble of 70 stage managers. This mammoth event, spanning six months and running without a break, featured 15,890 shows. This includes 200 National Days, Protocol Ceremonies at Al Wasl, 200 Parades, 11,030 consistent resident shows, and 2,000 shows dispersed across Expo venues from global participants. It's no surprise that this event is a pinnacle in his professional journey.
