Ghost Light And Hallways

Today I'm concluding my Doors Open series with one more look backstage at the National Arts Centre.

The workshop includes a welding area. When I was in here, one of the employees was speaking with visitors about arc welding and its uses in the building.

I moved on, among some of the backstage areas adjoining the other performance spaces. The soft lighting on this equipment appealed to me.

A door was open, looking out onto something I knew was here, but haven't seen before. Most people never would- this is the NAC loading dock.

A bright light was set up nearby. This is a ghost light, and the display below explains its purpose in a theatre or auditorium.

The backstage area continues on with numerous dressing rooms. Along the corridor walls are a multitude of photographs of previous productions and people who have performed at the NAC over the decades. There were also production posters.

One of the rooms, a large one, is no doubt used for makeup and hair during theatrical productions.

This panel explains what a green room actually is.

Here we have a listing of the music for that evening's concert. I would have enjoyed it.

Another look inside a dressing room, with this rather unusual costume on display.

I liked this period poster. Festival Ottawa would have been before my time as a concept, but the city has a multitude of festivals all summer long- in this case, a couple of chamber music festivals that are very much in keeping with the program this would have been largely about.

To close out the series, and my Doors Open Ottawa visits for the year, here we have one last look inside Southam Hall.