Monday, July 8, 2019

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.

36 comments:

  1. "DANGER" and "HAVE A NICE DAY" side by side!
    Interesting views!

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  2. The dressing room is fun, also the costume ...
    This was also an interesting series!
    Thanks for sharing!

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  3. It would be interesting to see the backstage with all the props, and watch the going on in dressing room and look at all the interesting costumes.

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  4. ...the part of the theater that we rarely see!

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  5. I have enjoyed this part of the tour.
    Although our arts centre is a lot smaller of course, I have onze had such a tour there as well. Very interesting and here and there an eye opener.

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  6. yes, have a nice day!! love that. cute ( ;

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  7. WOW!! That ghost like looks so real! 😂

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  8. Most theaters have a multitude of necessary props backstage, but first is have heard of a ghost light...very thoughtful 😊

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  9. I didn’t know the info about the green room. Interesting.

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  10. I love the idea of the Open Door event. It looks like you had so much fun!
    That smiley face wall is a playful touch!

    Janis
    GDP

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  11. Hello, neat tour. I like the dressing room view and smiley face. Enjoy your day and I wish you a happy new week!

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  12. Back stage is amazing, the amount of things that have to be done for a production.
    Great photos!

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  13. Interesting look behind the scenes. That dress is puzzling with its round skirt. :-)

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  14. What it boils down to is that a large theater like this one is a large complex.

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  15. It is nice to leave a light on for the ghost! ;-)

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  16. And live theatrical performances are taking people to another space/time for just a few hours...now we can appreciate all that goes on behind the scenes. It's certainly worth it!

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  17. That was quite a tour. You got to see a lot.

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  18. @Iris: I liked the contrast.

    @Ella: you're welcome.

    @Nancy: I enjoyed my visit.

    @Tom: days like this are a good idea.

    @Francisco: thank you.

    @Jan: this is a good sized complex.

    @Beth: I liked that.

    @Sandi: it's a bright light.

    @Janey: I had heard of the concept before.

    @Marie: I didn't know the meaning until one of these backstage visits in the past.

    @Janis: I enjoyed coming out here for Doors Open.

    @Eileen: thank you.

    @Maywyn: there is a lot of work.

    @DJan: that's quite true.

    @Red: very much so.

    @RedPat: good manners.

    @Barbara: it is, yes.

    @Sharon: I did indeed.

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  19. A very interesting post, William. I learned a lot.

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  20. Some of those shots were a tad eerie. Thanks. Tweeted.

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  21. The dressing rooms are interesting!

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  22. Great big smiley face, I like that!

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  23. A very strange costume for sure. :-)

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  24. @Pat: thank you.

    @Mari: you're welcome.

    @Marleen: they are.

    @Bill: so do I.

    @Revrunner: indeed!

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  25. I love old theaters. Did a non speaking role at the Wilshire theater, which is now a historic landmark rather than a theater.

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  26. Fascinating William and such wonderful shots ~ love the tour! thanks!

    Happy Day to you,
    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

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  27. I will have a good day.
    Coffee is on

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  28. Wow! Thank you for sharing so much details.

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  29. It's fascinating to see all these backstage areas:)

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  30. You captured the world of the theatre so well in this series. I'm very impressed and sorry to leave the theatre!

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  31. Familiar sights! I've used the backstage door many times. I loved walking by the green rooms for the major artists. You can hear them doing vocal warmups even if the door is closed! Good times!

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  32. Neat to see behind the scenes!

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  33. @Eve: my days of the theatre ended in high school.

    @Carol: you're welcome.

    @Dora: thank you.

    @Magiceye: thanks.

    @Rosie: that it is.

    @Jan: a pleasure to do so.

    @Jeanie: it's nice to see behind the scenes.

    @Jennifer: it's a bit of a maze back there.

    @Jennifer: that it is.

    @Klara: me too.

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