The self-guided tour begins in the Main Lobby of the Academy of Music, where visitors may pick up a guide map with more than seven stations throughout the first floor and backstage area of the Academy and peruse the historic halls, coming and going at their leisure. Stations include:
"¢ A visit to the Stage Manager's podium, the "nerve center" of the performance
"¢ Learning about casting and repertoire practices from members of the artistic department
"¢ The onsite Costume Shop, where OCP Costume Director Richard St. Clair displays favorite costumes and tells "Tales from the Dressing Room"Â
"¢ OCP's Props Coordinator showing some of her favorite and most complex designs
"¢ Exploration of the Academy of Music Orchestra Pit with OCP music staff
"¢ A singer's point of view on the onstage set for Gershwin's Porgy and Bess, running Feb. 8-24th
"¢ "¦ and more!
Established in 2002 as a way to thank friends of the Opera Company of Philadelphia, this year marks the first open invitation to the public in celebration of the 150th Anniversary of the Academy of Music - America's oldest, continuously-producing opera house.
"We love having the opportunity to open our home to the community and, in the process, introducing the unsung heroes of our production department whose excellence and craftsmanship shape our every performance,"Â shared General and Artistic Director Robert B. Driver.
The Open House is on Saturday, February 10, 2007 from 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. -- www.operaphilly.com
Posted February 7th, 2007 by ruzik_tuzik
