Long before Jeff Probst shouts “Come on in!” to Survivor players at a challenge, another group has already leapt, belly-flopped, balanced, and bruised their way through every step. They’re not contestants, but they are among the most vital players you’ve never seen on screen: the Dream Team.
Originally created so producers wouldn’t have to test elaborate obstacle courses themselves, the Dream Team has evolved into something far more integral to Survivor‘s operation — a training ground, a backstage family, and one of the show’s most reliable pipelines for behind-the-scenes talent.
What the Dream Team Actually Does
| Task | Details |
|---|---|
| Challenge Testing | Test every obstacle course before contestants arrive |
| Art Department Work | Paint challenges; a single wooden post can take days |
| Stand-in/Stunt Double | Sit at tribal councils for lighting and camera tests |
| On-Set Help | Hold lights, move gear, assist during shoot days |
| Typical Day | 11-12 hours (help on set, art, test blocks, rehearsals, tribal prep) |
Skylar Williams, a current Dream Teamer, describes a typical day: “When we’re not testing challenges or helping on shoot days, like holding lights or moving gear, we’re in the art workshop painting challenges. Painting a single wooden post can take days. Our typical day starts around 7:30 a.m. or 8 a.m.”
How They Got on the Dream Team
- Brittany Crapper (now co-executive producer): Sent in a “horrendous” audition video; still thanks John Kirhoffer for giving her a chance.
- Kevin Martinez (current Dream Teamer): Heard about it through a producer he worked with on Big Brother.
- Skylar Williams (current Dream Teamer): Heard about it through her uncle, a former producer. After two years of conversations, she got on at 21.
- Zach Sundelius (now supervising producer): Spent years sending emails to random CBS addresses, created a Twitter account called “Future Dream Team,” and eventually got a call from Kirhoffer.
The Dream Team as a Launching Pad
What began as a logistical workaround under co-executive producer John Kirhoffer has become a launchpad for future camera operators, producers, and department heads.
| Former Dream Teamer | Current Role |
|---|---|
| Brittany Crapper | Co-executive Producer |
| Zach Sundelius | Supervising Producer |
| Tim Barker | Camera Operator |
| Chris Barker | Director of Aerial Photography (drone) |
Brittany Crapper says: “I explored different departments to see what interested me, and eventually realized producing was my passion. I started shadowing producers… and now co-executive producer.”
Zach Sundelius adds: “After Dream Team, I briefly worked on The Jeff Probst Show. Then I was a night segment producer, then daytime segment producer, then producer… then supervising producer.”
The ‘Survivor’ Family
Kevin Martinez: “I’ve never felt this kind of camaraderie on other shows. Here, it’s like, ‘We got you, we’ll help you.’ We eat together, breakfast, lunch, dinner. I want to be here until I’m 80.”
Skylar Williams: “It’s a huge happy family. We’re together 24/7.”
Brittany Crapper: “I met my husband here. Three years later we got married, and now we have three beautiful daughters. It’s crazy how many Survivor babies there are. I want to say we’re creeping on the 50s or 60s and tons of marriages.”
John Kirhoffer: The Heartbeat of the Dream Team
- Skylar Williams: “He’s genuinely a father figure. He wants the best for all of us. He’s like a safe space for all of us.”
- Kevin Martinez: “I see John like a father figure. He’s our boss but he doesn’t feel like your typical boss.”
- Brittany Crapper: “John really takes these Dream Teamers in as his own children. I still go to him for advice or a hug when I need it.”
- Chris Barker: “Kirhoffer is kind of like the camp counselor. You eat together, you run challenges together, you work art together. It’s a real bonding experience.”
The Evolution of the Dream Team
What started as a way to test challenges has become:
- A training ground for future production talent
- A close-knit family that works and eats together
- A pipeline for camera operators, producers, and department heads
- The engine that keeps Survivor running
Brittany Crapper sums it up: “Dream Team isn’t just an entry-level internship at a company, it is so much more than that. It is the start of becoming a part of this family, and what this beautiful show is.”
