Michael Rice: Executive Producer/ Creator of the VIVA Fest
Michael got his start in the Circus Arts as an Original cast member of Mystere by Cirque Du Soleil. He founded Inversion Entertainment in 1998 and has since created acrobatic entertainment worldwide for companies including the NFL, NBA, Disney World, Six Flags, Sea World, Universal Pictures, and was Circus Producer for NBC's Celebrity Circus. He also owns Gymcats Gymnastics Center in Henderson NV. mike@thevivafest.com
Cassie Rice: VIVAFest Steering Committee
Cassie Rice has been working with youth sports for over 2 decades. She is the Owner and Head Coach of Gymcats Gymnastics where she was coach of Olympian Tasha Schwikert. She has been recognized as USECA International Coach of the Year and TOP's Coach of the Year. Gymcats trains over 2000 students Along with her sports work she is also actively involved in many charitable institutions including, Shade Tree Shelter, M-Lisada, Brooklynn Mae Mohler Foundation, and Families for Effective Autism Treatment (FEAT).
Matt Morgan: VIVA Fest Creative Director
Matthew Morgan has worked professionally as an actor, clown, writer, producer and devised theater creator for over 30 years. Matthew is the founding Artistic Director of the Nevada Shakespeare Festival and is currently the resident director at the Atomic Saloon Show for Spiegelworld inside the Venetian Hotel and Casino. Matthew has appeared on Broadway at the New Victory Theater, headlined Germany’s “Circus Flic Flac” and he spent 10 years clowning and hosting Spiegelworld’s Las Vegas smash hit “Absinthe”. Matthew co-created and directed ‘The Princess Wendy Late Night Tease Room’ which was awarded Best New Variety Show of 2019 by the Las Vegas Weekly, he directed Waiting for Godot at the University of North Alabama and the show was awarded best play of 2022 and his recent directing credits with Nevada Shakespeare include; Hamlet, Titus Andronicus & The Comedy of Errors. Matthew is constantly trying to devise new ways to affect and entertain the world through classical theater and circus.
Mika Shopski: VIVAFest competition manager/director
Mika was a collegiate competitive gymnast and then a full time coach for over two decades. She organizes, manages and directs hundreds of clinics, camps, and special events for thousands of participants. She has extensive knowledge and skills in the area of event management.
Steve Gale: VIVAFest Rigging
Coordinator/ Steering Committee
Steve Gale's career in entertainment began at DisneyLand in 1994. Since that time, he has grown to be a sought-after professional in many areas of the acrobatic 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 for corporate clients including Cirque Du Soleil, the NBA, the NFL, and the Olympics in 2000 and 2002. Steve has also been involved in several television projects including NBC’s ‘The Cape’ and ‘Celebrity Circus’ where he was the cirque coordinator. Most recently, Steve has been welding and creating new acrobatic props for the industry with his entertainment company Radiant Productions.
Laura Martinez: VIVAFest competition coordinator
Laura holds a PhD in organizational and sport communication and is a published circus scholar. Her area of expertise is in internal communications and she has a background in stage management, coaching, and performing. She is also a journal reviewer for Circus: Arts, Life, & Sciences. Laura is knowledgeable across various areas of the circus industry, having worked in both back of stage and front of stage roles in Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Las Vegas.