Set design students tour backstages of NYC's iconic theaters

Warwick Valley High School students in Rocco Manno's Set Construction class took a recent trip to Broadway, where they got to go backstage at four of the city's most popular theaters -- Radio City Music Hall, The James Earl Jones Theatre, The Palace Theatre, and The Hudson Theatre --  four unique behind-the-scenes looks!

The students started off at The Palace, where Juniper Street Productions is loading the the new Lost Boys show. Previews of the play don't even begin until the last weekend in March, so this was truly a unique, early-bird opportunity for the students to see a play being built from the stage floor up. 

_{See a gallery of photos from the students visit to NYC below this story!}

The students' next stop was Radio City, where students got to walk on and under the historic stage to see how it works. The budding set designers were amazed by the hydraulic lift system, which was engineered to raise and lower up to 190 tons of stage machinery, not to mention a 35-piece orchestra! They learned that when the system was first installed, it was so advanced that the US Navy adapted it for World War II aircraft carriers. Yes, it's that old and still working like a charm! The Navy used the technology to move aircraft and other equipment between decks. The mechanisms were so advanced for their time, that the area of the theater was protected from prying eyes by armed guards up until the 1950s, to maintain secrecy. 

Then, it was four floors up to check out the Radio City's projection room, and then four stories more to the storied Roxy Suite. As far as green rooms go, this one has seen it all, and the everyone loved learning about its lore. This is where every star who's taken the Radio City stage has hung out. The students saw the proof, perusing the autograph books that have been collecting signatures since the theater opened in 1932, and which are kept on display there now. And, they even got to at the same table where stars like Judy Garland sat! From there, the group moved on to see the Rockettes' designated rehearsal studio, as well as the Costume shop.

At the James Earl Jones, the students were initially taken aback by the size of the stage -- it's actually smaller than the one in the WVHS auditorium!

"Seeing it's size belies its overall complexity and versatility," said Mr. Manno. "We went up stairs and saw the rigging set up, and got a look beneath the stage to see how they can convert the structure to accommodate different shows."

At the Palace Theatre, the students met with Juniper Street President, Hillary Blanken Gallo, who provided an in-depth look at large-scale set construction. Students observed crews loading in show sets, saw the extensive materials required, and went beneath the stage to view ongoing structural rebuilds for trap doors and risers. They also examined rigging systems, fly winches, and the craftsmanship behind the sets up close on stage.

The final stop was the Hudson Theatre, where students witnessed the build for Daniel Radcliffe’s production of Every Brilliant Thing, offering a real-time look at a show coming together from the ground up.

The trip was eye-opening, informative, entertaining, and truly magical – an experience that deepened students’ understanding of theatrical design and production.

Mr. Manno and the students would like to extend a special thank you to everyone who made this opportunity possible, particularly Ms. Blanken Gallo and her husband Frank Gallo, owner of PRG Scenic Technologies, the world's leading provider of production services and solutions in entertainment and live events. Mr. Gallo has also invited the students to visit PRG's shop in New Windsor later this year, and there are talks of a possible invite-only dress rehearsal too!