Tuesday, August 28, 2018

Taking a Look Backstage


If you saw the thumbnail version of this photo, I bet you thought it was a colorful sunset.  This is looking into the audience at Grady Gammage Auditorium at Arizona State University.  Last Saturday I joined a group of people for a backstage tour of the theatre I visit so often for plays and other events.  Unfortunately, you can only see the first balcony in this shot.  There is a another one above the one shown here.  The theatre seats 3000.  At the very front of the stage is a section that lowers to create the orchestra pit.  We all rode down to that level and further into the basement riding on the front area of the stage.  That was a unique experience.




Then the group headed up into the rafters where we got to see all the controls for the various curtains and lights.  One of the group even got to lower a light bar and bring it back up again.


On one of the walls backstage were these mementos from the various plays and musicals that have graced this stage.  Many of them signed by crew members.


We got to peek into a series of dressing rooms right behind the stage.  Our guide told us that actors love doing shows here because the dressing rooms are so close to the stage.

It was a great tour where I learned a lot more about this great Frank Lloyd Wright designed theatre.  To see the outside of this fabulous theatre, click the link under the first photo.

10 comments:

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biebkriebels said...

What a great tour, it is amazing to see a theater from the other side and watch all the ins and outs behind the scenes. Didn't know this one from Frank LLoyd Wright. Have to look it up in our books.

PerthDailyPhoto said...

As fabulous on the inside as it is on the outside Sharon, what a very cool explore. There's so much that we don't usually think about that goes into the production of a show ✨

RedPat said...

That is so cool that you got to tour through the bones of the theatre, Sharon!

William Kendall said...

It's wonderful to get inside places like that. Our National Arts Centre tends to have a weekend in the fall where you can explore backstage areas, and there are some similarities.

Bill said...

What a wonderful tour of the theatre. Very seldom do we get to see what's backstage. It gives another view in to the production of an event and you'll most likely will think of it when you attend another event there. Great photos Sharon and thanks for the tour.

Judy Ryer said...

That was a fun look behind the stage!

Sandi said...

Great perspective, especially the first one!

Kate said...

Imagine how it must feel to perform in front of an audience of that size!!

Steve Reed said...

It's cool from the inside, but it's AMAZING from the outside! Like a big UFO!