UNCSA connections to the 2024 Super Bowl

The Super Bowl is arguably just as much about entertainment as it is about football. Millions tune in for the game, commercials and halftime performance on what is one of the biggest TV nights of the year. From an attention-grabbing halftime show from Usher to movie trailer premieres and surprise announcements like Beyoncé’s Act II of Renaissance, it was a night to remember, filled with UNCSA ties.

Here's a list of all the UNCSA connections to the Super Bowl LVIII — in alphabetical order.

Beyoncé announces Act II of Renaissance

Beyoncé starred in a Verizon Super Bowl ad where she announced the country-themed Act II of “Renaissance,” which will be released on March 29. In the ad, Beyoncé attempted to break Verizon’s 5G network by bringing out all the stops, including but not limited to “Beyonc-A.I.,” a Barbie-like “Bar-bey” and a presidential “BOTUS.” Her last attempt? Dropping her new music.

Several School of Filmmaking alumni were involved in the 2023 documentary concert film "Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé," including Alex Bickel (B.F.A. ‘04) who served as supervising colorist, Will Files (B.F.A. ‘02) who served as supervising sound editor - re-recording mixer and Smokey Cloud (B.F.A. ‘04) who served as first assistant sound editor. School of Music alumnus Lady Jess, née Jessica McJunkins (B.M. ’09) performed with Beyoncé during her Coachella performance and during her “On the Run II” tour. School of Design and Production alumna Andrea Espinoza (B.F.A. Sound Design '11) also serves as the road manager for Beyoncé's Renaissance tour. 

CBS Broadcasting

Design and Production alumna Kate Brown (M.F.A. Sound Design ‘11) was on the radio frequency (RF) team — a group of about 20 people, not including the entertainment personnel or FCC agents — for the Super Bowl broadcast on CBS Sports, CBS Sports Net and CBS News. The RF team works to ensure all wireless mics and in-ear monitoring work during the live broadcast. To make this happen, a lot of planning, coordination, math and government compliance/licensing need to be negotiated so that everything works without interference or dropouts.

For Super Bowl LVIII, Brown operated a remote portion of the system in the studios in front of Bellagio fountains on the Vegas Strip, which were tied to the stadium over a larger audio network that extended around the city of Las Vegas.

First-look trailer for “Wicked”

Universal Pictures debuted the first-look trailer for the highly anticipated film adaptation of "Wicked," starring Ariana Grande as Glinda and Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba. The trailer introduces audiences to director Jon M. Chu's world of Oz through massive fields of flowing flowers, the Emerald City and fantastical landscapes — all showcased in a kaleidoscope of color.

School of Design and Production alumnus Paul Tazewell (B.F.A. '86) served as costume designer and School of Drama alumna Tiffany Little Canfield (B.F.A. '00) was casting director for the two-part film series.

Usher Halftime Show

R&B artist Usher put on a lively halftime show filled with masterful choreography; more than a dozen of his timeless, well-known hits; and surprise performances from Alicia Keys, Ludacris, will.i.am and Jermaine Dupri.

Design and Production alumnus Will Witner (B.F.A. Lighting '16) was a Field Team Member with RocNation. He was a part of the team that was responsible for moving, assembling and disassembling the stage for the halftime show.

Did you catch a connection to the 2024 Super Bowl that is not included on this list? Send us an email and we will update the story.

---

by Natalie Shrader

Get the best news, performance and alumni stories from UNCSA.
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTERS(OPENS IN NEW TAB)(OPENS IN NEW TAB)(OPENS IN NEW TAB)(OPENS IN NEW TAB)(OPENS IN NEW TAB)(OPENS IN NEW TAB)(OPENS IN NEW TAB)(OPENS IN NEW TAB)(OPENS IN NEW TAB)(OPENS IN NEW TAB)(OPENS IN NEW TAB)(OPENS IN NEW TAB)(OPENS IN NEW TAB)(OPENS IN NEW TAB)(OPENS IN NEW TAB)