DAE Global

DAE Global Pulsemaking. Always-on, connected, art + culture. We are a small team of creative practitioners: storytellers, visionaries, artistic directors and designers.

We conceive, create, and translate our client's dreams into reality. Supported by choreographers, writers, visual content producers, lighting designers, sound engineers, technical specialists and a full suite of production and logistics services, we bring great ideas to life in any physical or digital environment, to any scale, anywhere in the world. From the Olympics to World Expo, DAE continually raises the bar in global event production.

With our partners and collaborators at Department Of Culture & Tourism Abu Dhabi - we created and produced the Al Ain Mu...
12/11/2025

With our partners and collaborators at Department Of Culture & Tourism Abu Dhabi - we created and produced the Al Ain Museum Reopening Ceremony on 22nd October 2025.

Our heartfelt thank you to every single person who made this show one we will never forget. We will be sharing the full credits very soon!

19/06/2025

We are proud of our B Corp certification.

Awarded by B Lab, this certification reflects our commitment to sustainability and ethical practices, driving us to create a positive impact for our community, employees, and the environment.

The B Impact Assessment evaluates a company's practices and outputs across five categories: Governance, Workers, Community, the Environment, and Customers.

From a Community perspective, we are continually focused on creating inclusive, memorable experiences that tell powerful stories about people from around the world. Our empathetic approach helps us understand and prioritise the needs of our colleagues, partners, audiences and the lands upon which we operate. With extensive experience across diverse cultural landscapes and long-standing collaborations with Indigenous communities worldwide, we’re recognised globally for creating meaningful opportunities for underrepresented communities.

Whether through hiring local talent, partnering with regional suppliers, or embedding cultural expression at the heart of the experience, we strive to create lasting, positive impact.


Meet Dylan Mahoney, our Associate Creative Director, whose creative vision is shaped by a decade performing on the world...
17/06/2025

Meet Dylan Mahoney, our Associate Creative Director, whose creative vision is shaped by a decade performing on the world’s biggest stages.

Before stepping into the world of creative direction, Dylan toured the globe as a professional dancer, performing with icons like Kylie Minogue, Rita Ora, and Ricky Martin (to name a few). That lived experience brings a rare, instinctive understanding of how to craft moments that truly captivate an audience.

Today, Dylan blends that performer’s intuition with bold storytelling, innovative thinking, and deep technical expertise. With over ten years of experience both in front of and behind the camera, and as a proud sixth-generation family performer, Dylan’s work is rooted in legacy but driven by what’s next.
From animatics and pitch decks to managing creative teams and exploring emerging technologies, Dylan brings a wide range of skills to every project. His approach is thoughtful, original, and always grounded in a strong work ethic.

We’re proud to have Dylan in the DAE Global family, where his unique perspective and creative leadership help us deliver unforgettable experiences around the world.

Our company began in the world of theatre where saying "good luck" is traditionally considered bad luck. Instead, differ...
09/06/2025

Our company began in the world of theatre where saying "good luck" is traditionally considered bad luck. Instead, different cultures have developed their own unique ways to wish performers well before a show.

In Australia (where our head office is located), you’ll often hear “chookas!” – a unique and endearing term, said to date back to the early 1900s. When theatres had a full audience, performers would be able to afford a chicken dinner (“chook” being the slang word for chicken). It is said that someone from the audience would yell "chook it is!" to indicate a good house, and over time this evolved into the "chookas", now fondly used today.

Here at DAE we still wish everyone “chookas” before a presentation or major event, no matter where we are in the world.

What are some of the ways you say “good luck”?


05/06/2025

Have you ever wondered how a ceremony comes together? How does a creative idea go from exactly that – an imaginative concept – to a large-scale, complex, final performance?

Sketches. Scripts. Design. Choreography. Timing. Lighting. Equipment. Rehearsals. Direction. Visual effects. Motion graphics. Filming. Props. Safety. Security. Each element plays a crucial role in this intricate process, yet when the lights go up and the vision unfolds, the journey of this transformation is pure magic ✨

Take a look behind the scenes of the Victoria 2026 handover ceremony at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games as dance rehearsals and content storyboards evolve from sketch to stage.

03/06/2025

🎭 Merging Tradition with Innovation

During global ceremonies like the Olympics and Commonwealth Games we have a history of honouring and highlighting First Nations people and their culture. We see this as an
opportunity to reflect on the identity and spirit of the place we are celebrating, and to recognise and connect the audience with the country's first nations.

Our Founder and CEO, David Atkins, recently sat down to talk about the wonder of the Birmingham Handover Ceremony for the Commonwealth Games, both the Sydney and Vancouver Olympic Ceremonies and New Zealand Rugby World Cup. In particular, the significance of the First Nations people in these ceremonies. These moments represent more than performance – as David says “not only does that engagement give us this incredible richness of creativity to be presented in the ceremony, but it elevates and recognises First Nations through a collaborative and respectful process.”

Meet , our dynamic and accomplished Creative Director and General Manager, MENA. Chelsey is a hybrid creative director ...
29/05/2025

Meet , our dynamic and accomplished Creative Director and General Manager, MENA.

Chelsey is a hybrid creative director and creative producer with an impressive 15-year track record of experience across major projects, festivals, live shows and corporate productions. Her expertise spans all phases of event creation - from strategy, storytelling, conceptualisation and creative direction to producing, project direction and team leadership.

With a sharp mind and a client-centric approach, she has thrived in creatively developing and delivering innovative experiences across the UAE for the last 7 years. Her collaborative and detail oriented style involves deeply understanding client and stakeholder ambitions, developing tailored strategies and bringing visions to life with deeper purpose, meaning and intention all through a seamless experience both during the delivery and in ex*****on.

Chelsey thrives on collaboration and empowering her teams through trust, open communication and a shared passion for meaningful storytelling. Her work speaks volumes, with her most notable recent projects Leading and Directing including:
• 𝟱𝟭𝘀𝘁, 𝟱𝟮𝗻𝗱 & 𝟱𝟯𝗿𝗱 𝗘𝗶𝗱 𝗔𝗹 𝗘𝘁𝗶𝗵𝗮𝗱 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗲𝘀
• 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟮 & 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁’𝘀 𝗖𝘂𝗽 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘀
• 𝗔𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗰 𝗙𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝗮𝘂𝗴𝘂𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

Chelsey’s creativity doesn’t end at work. Whether she’s building out her own ideas, playing competitive sports or trying new activities she brings the same passion, precision, and imagination into everything she does. Her energy is infectious and her ability to lead with heart and clarity makes her not just a valued colleague, but an inspiration to work alongside. Chelsey’s innovative spirit, relentless drive, and commitment to excellence continue to shape the future of entertainment in the MENA region. We’re proud to have her leading the way and we can’t wait to see what we can create and build together next.

DAE Global proudly programmed the official national celebrations for the Australian Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai.In addit...
22/05/2025

DAE Global proudly programmed the official national celebrations for the Australian Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai.

In addition to curating the full spectrum of daily entertainment across Expo’s six-month run, we also developed and delivered bespoke National Day programs for participating nations - none closer to our hearts than Australia’s.

The Australian Pavilion hosted an official ceremony and live performance program celebrating the depth and diversity of Australian culture. One of the highlights was Mitch Tambo’s powerful rendition of You’re the Voice in Gamilaraay language - a stirring fusion of contemporary and traditional sound that resonated with audiences from across the globe.

In this fast-paced, digital age, where streaming and recorded content are in our everyday lives, live performances hold ...
20/05/2025

In this fast-paced, digital age, where streaming and recorded content are in our everyday lives, live performances hold a unique, dynamic energy that cannot be replicated. There's an undeniable magic in witnessing a performance in person - whether it’s music, dance, puppetry, street performers, or all of it combined in large-scale ceremonies. The energy between performers and the audience creates a shared experience that is deeply emotional and personal, while also creating a unique communal atmosphere. The electricity created is something the audience feels – it’s alive and tangible.

Meet David Atkins, our magnetic, highly-accomplished Founder and CEO, whose name is synonymous with the entertainment in...
05/05/2025

Meet David Atkins, our magnetic, highly-accomplished Founder and CEO, whose name is synonymous with the entertainment industry across the globe.

Recognised in the 2003 Queen’s Birthday Honours with a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for services to the entertainment industry, David is one of Australia’s most awarded producers, directors, and choreographers. Starting his career at age 12 with a role in the musical Mame, he has starred in, produced, directed, choreographed, and created more than 20 musicals across Australia, Britain, the United States, Canada, Malaysia, Singapore, and Hong Kong, including his original production Hot Shoe Shuffle, the first Australian musical to play London’s West End.

David is celebrated globally for his groundbreaking work as Artistic Director and Producer of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games Opening and Closing Ceremonies. Since then, he has directed and produced some of the world’s largest live events across continents and cultures, from the Doha 2006 Asian Games and Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics to the Shanghai 2010 World Expo, the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand, White Night Victoria (2017–2019), the Dubai 2020 Expo, and the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Handover Ceremony. His passion, creative vision, and love of entertaining audiences continue to captivate millions worldwide.

His accolades include:
👏 Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM)
👏 Olivier Award recipient
👏 First and only Australian to win an MTV Award for choreography
👏 2000 Gold Olympic Pin (IOC President)
👏 Three Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards (Vancouver 2010 Opening Ceremony)
👏 Numerous Australian Event Awards, including Lifetime Achievement Award, Best Arts and Cultural or Music Event, and Best Community Event
👏 The Experiential Awards, Exceptional Work in the Australian Scene
👏 Green Room Awards for Excellence in Choreography and Best Production (Hot Shoe Shuffle)
👏 Middle East Event Award, Best Arts and Cultural Event
👏 ARIA Awards
👏 “Mo” Awards, Outstanding Contribution to Musical Theatre and Best Musical Performer
👏 Advance Australia Award for Services to the Arts
👏 Russian Event Award, Event of the Year

While David is globally celebrated for the volume and scale of his theatrical, arena, and live event work, and the vast awards he has received, ultimately he has revolutionised how shows are imagined and brought to life.

Audiences around the world who have experienced one of his productions have witnessed something a little magical ✨ And here at DAE Global, we are immensely proud to have his leadership, passion, innovative energy, and creative flair at the heart of everything we do.

01/05/2025

We are incredibly proud of our B Corp certification - a recognition that reflects DAE Global’s commitment to high standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency.
Awarded by B Lab, it demonstrates our commitment to sustainability and ethical practices that drives us to create positive impact for our community, employees, and the environment.
The B Impact Assessment evaluates a company's practices and outputs across five categories: Governance, Workers, Community, the Environment, and Customers.

Our commitment to our team combines over 30 years of production leadership with a future-focused approach to workplace culture. Across our global network of employees, contractors, and collaborators, we champion wellbeing, inclusion, and professional growth, fostering safe, innovative environments where every individual feels valued, supported, and inspired to excel.

We're especially proud to have been one of the first international creative and event practitioners globally to achieve this certification, marking a significant milestone in our journey to use business as a force for good.

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