Seatrade Cruise News is part of the Informa Markets Division of Informa PLC

This site is operated by a business or businesses owned by Informa PLC and all copyright resides with them. Informa PLC's registered office is 5 Howick Place, London SW1P 1WG. Registered in England and Wales. Number 8860726.

New creatives at RWS bring more than 30 years’ joint skill to cruise ships

PHOTO: RICKY GEE CRUISE_creatives_RWS.jpg
New to the RWS team: (L-R) Ericka Womack, Jason Sparks, Kendra Lucas, Damien Gray, Greg Brown
RWS Entertainment Group has expanded its creative team with the addition of Jason Sparks, senior director, theatrical creative content and Damien Gray, director, immersive creative content.

The level of natural talent and boundary-pushing creativity that Jason and Damien bring to our team is invigorating,’ remarked Craig Laurie, EVP creative, RWS Entertainment Group. ‘Both are uniquely qualified to bring a vibrant perspective to our productions. With more than 30 years of combined skill, creativity and insight into live and immersive experiences, our clients and their guests will be thrilled with the results.’

Meanwhile, new faces within the entertainment group’s casting team are: Greg Brown, VP, talent casting & recruitment; Ericka Womack, senior casting manager, performer casting & guest entertainers; Kendra Lucas, manager, performer casting & guest entertainers.

Jason Sparks

An award-winning creative director and choreographer, Sparks has worked in a range of performance settings, from Broadway musicals and independent short films to award shows and concert dance.

He has served as the associate to British director and choreographer Warren Carlyle on multiple Tony Award-winning Broadway productions, including 'Hello, Dolly! with Bette Midler,' 'Kiss Me, Kate; She Loves Me' and 'After Midnight,' as well as choreographing productions for New York City Ballet and the Tony Awards.

Damien Gray

Gray previously worked for Universal Studios Japan, Universal Beijing Resort and the soon-to-open Ocean Flower Island Resort and theme park in Hainan, China.

For Universal Studios and Illumination Entertainment, Gray created the concert spectacular, 'Sing on Tour' (based on the animated film by the same name,) which is now playing at the Illumination Theatres in Osaka and Beijing. He also created both 'Steps in Time,' at Disney California Adventure and 'Animagique' for Walt Disney Studios in Paris.

Brown

With prior experience as manager, talent casting at Royal Caribbean Group, Brown has more than 20 years’ experience in the entertainment industry. His body of work includes casting for Broadway, concert and performance venues across the globe. He teaches young artists and holds a professorship.

Womack

Previously with Royal Caribbean Cruises, Womack brings experience in all aspects of entertainment performance, choreography, show creation and management.

Lucas

With a background performing for RWS, Lucas began her casting career in New York City assisting in various casting offices and working on projects including national tours, regional theatre productions and musicals on major cruise lines.