Christopher Wangro

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Christopher Wangro (born January 17, 1958) is an American entertainer and theatre impresario.

1 Early life
2 Career
3 Current
4 Eventography (highlights)
5 Articles

[edit] Early life

Chris Wangro was born in New York City to a family of artists and illustrators. He grew up in and around Greenwich Village, and attended many schools before graduating from the somewhat infamous Walden School. Early on, he became obsessed with the history of magic, circus and vaudeville. While working as a young magician, Wangro met noted Ringling Brothers' clown Freddy Yockers, who gave him his first formal teaching in circus and clowning. Wangro started performing as a clown and magician, eventually landing Off-Broadway, most notably as a sword swallower in a Circle in the Square production directed by Estelle Parsons. In 1979, Wangro graduated from Bard College with a special interdisciplinary arts degree and a grant from the New York State Council of the Arts. He then launched a traveling one-ring show, The Janus Circus, “an eclectic modern circus of mayhem, mirth and mystery.” He served as Director & Ringmaster, touring the circus for several years throughout America and Europe.

[edit] Career

Wangro's ability to create innovative public spectacle was recognized by the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation; and in 1988 he was recruited to create and produce free public events in that city’s parks. In 1990, he became the City-Wide Director of Special Events, and is credited with reinstating “Mega-Events” to Central Park where he oversaw the three largest public events in that Park's history: “Earth Day '90,” “Paul Simon's Concert in the Park, August 15, 1991” and “Pavarotti's Concert In The Park.”

In 1994, Wangro resigned from his position at Parks to begin his own firm. Working under the banner of Zaragunda, Inc., Wangro operated as an independent producer across an uncommonly broad range of disciplines, spanning the fields of music, marketing, comedy, arts & politics. The impressive number and scale of projects he took on, and his infectious energetic approach to producing, gained him a reputation as a true New York City impresario. Ever the juggler, Wangro spent several years running Zaragunda while acting as Executive Producer for The John Schreiber Group, a national events marketing firm responsible for hundreds of events, touring programs and annual festivals each year.

In 2001, Wangro teamed up with a group of production professionals to create The Usual Suspects, an unusual team well known for their unusual productions and energetic approach.

After years producing for the commercial sector, Wangro began dedicating his time to the creation of public spectacle for social causes. In 2003, he teamed up with award winning theatrical designer Tal Yarden, to create NY, America: a hybrid not-for-profit organization that unites the arts world with the community of social justice organizations. NY, America's first effort, “The Imagine Festival of Arts, Issues and Ideas,” coincided with the 2004 Republican National Convention in New York City. With over 200 events in six days, "The Imagine Festival" was the largest political arts festival to ever take place in the United States. It serves as a model for arts and political organizations throughout the country.

[edit] Current

Wangro continues his work with Zaragunda, The Usual Suspects and NY, America while acting as a consultant and advisor to a number of marketing firms, arts and social justice organizations. Wangro is based in New York City, and Woodstock, New York.

[edit] Eventography (highlights)

1990-2000

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis' estate auction at Sotheby's: A two week exhibit and auction of the JKO Estate.
The Rhythm of the World: American Museum of Natural History's 125th anniversary celebration attended by over 100,000 people.
Pope John Paul II Mass in Central Park
World's Largest Chicken Pot Pie: creation at Bryant Park, fed thousands and landed in the Guinness *Book of World Records, with KFC
"Bridges to Babylon": Global broadcast - Rolling Stones' world tour kick-off on and under the Brooklyn Bridge.
"Private Parts": World premier of Howard Stern's first film elevised spectacle and parade outside Madison Square Garden.
NASCAR Rocks!: 31 city concert tour that combined a live festival with branded radio programming and two indepenent television specials; a watershed integrated marketing program for NASCAR and CBS Sports
People Magazine's 25th Anniversary: James Taylor and a dozen international superstars in a lifetime tribute to Carole King at Madison Square Garden.

Presidents' Summit on America's Future, 1997

The Presidents' Summit on America's Future: Led by four living American presidents and hosted by General Colin Powell and Oprah Winfrey - thirteen events in three days that raised over $100 million for the youth of America.
Toyota Comedy Festival: New York's largest comedy festival, with performances in dozens of venues including Carnegie Hall.

2000-Present

Chinese Cultural Expo: created for the Peoples Republic of China and the Cultural Ministry of Beijing, a month long cultural exposition held at The Jacob Javitz Center in New York City
Tornado of Fire: master magician David Copperfield's internationally broadcast "illusion" produced in New York City
Lincoln Center tribute to the Juilliard School: featuring Itzhak Perlman, Glenn Close, Bernadette Peters, Julie Andrews and Robin Williams.
The Songwriters Hall of Fame: featuring Paul McCartney, James Brown, Dolly Parton.
Celebration of Hope: Produced on behalf of President Jimmy Carter and Habitat for Humanity's 25th Anniversary celebration; the first national event held to Commemorate the Sept 11 attacks. Held at Conesco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis and Broadcast Commercial free.
Arts on the High Wire: concert to benefit the 9/11 Arts Recovery Fund. Featuring Philippe Petit, Bill Irwin, Laurie Anderson, Suzanne Vega, Art Spiegelman, Chuck Close, Joe Jackson.
LG: Times Square shut down for marketing event featuring performance by Wyclef Jean, promoting LG Electronics' Cellular Phone Service
Virgin Cellular Service: launched in the center of Times Square. New York came to a stand still while international mogul Richard Branson was lowered stripping naked from a sky–crane.
Freedom Ride Immigrant Rally: The culminating event of the AFL-CIO's national campaign for Immigrant Rights. Over 100,00 attended an event that blended international celebrities & performers, with political figures representing the major immigrant communities in America.

Imagine Festival's 3-mile long Unemployment line

Imagine Festival of Arts, Issues and Ideas: Timed to coincide with the Republican National Convention. Presented 200+ arts events focusing on Issues and Ideas that affected American Voters. (garnered Wangro an Obie Award)
The Peaceable Kingdom: Concert at Cathedral of St. John the Divine to support the Parents Circle, an organization of bereaved Palestinian and Israeli families. Featuring Patty Smith, Bright Eyes, Anonymous Four and Erotica Trio.
Amsterjam: in partnership with Michael Lang- multi stage rock festival featuring Snoop Dog, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Wycleff Jean

Wycleff Jean performing at Amsterjam

United Federation of Teachers Rally: Rally at Madison Square Garden for the United Federation of Teachers’ contract. Red Cross 100th Anniversary: Gala celebrating the accomplishments of New York Red Cross, featuring President William Clinton.
Volvo Ocean Race: world's most prestigious round-the-globe sailing race, docked in New York for 1 week of interactive and live events
Bring 'Em Home Now: Concert at The Hammerstein Ballroom on the third anniversary of the invasion of Iraq to benefit Iraq Veterans Against the War and Veterans for Peace. Featuring R.E.M. singer Michael Stipe, Bright Eyes, Public Enemy frontman Chuck D and Rufus Wainwright, peace activist Cindy Sheehan, actress Susan Sarandon and comedian Margaret Cho.

Moby's surprise performance at Bring 'Em Home Now

An Evening of Remembrance and Hope, Uniting the World Against AIDS: United Nations Commemoration- 25 years of AIDS held in The General Assembly Hall. This event commorated the 25 years of the HIV virus and the Tenth Anniversary of UNAIDS 25th. Event featured major celebrities representing areas hardest ht by the virus including Whoopie Goldberg, Salman Ahmad and Anjelique Kidjo.