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First Opened: 9th November 2001 (18 years ago)
Former Names: Kodak Theatre
Website: www.dolbytheatre.com 
Telephone: (323) 308-6300
Featured Photos
OverviewHollywood’s 3,400-seat Dolby Theatre, formerly known as the Kodak Theatre, was designed as a permanent home for the annual Academy Awards ceremony (the Oscars), and having opening in November 2001 has hosted the Oscars every year since. The theatre is located within the Hollywood & Highland entertainment and shopping complex, in the heart of Hollywood.
The theatre was designed by David Rockwell of the Rockwell Group , in conjunction with Theatre Projects Consultants who provided concept design, theatre planning, and theatre equipment design/specification services. A core component of the design was ensuring large-scale television/broadcast events could use the theatre effectively, both technically and in appearance, and as such leading industry professionals were consulted extensively throughout the planning and design phases. Notable technical features include:
The design of the auditorium sought to blend glamour with function, which Rockwell considers a modern interpretation inspired by theatres of the 1920s. The main level comprises Orchestra seating with the Parterre located behind a small break in height. There are three balconies which are flanked with boxes on each side, stepping down toward the proscenium. The ceiling features a striking silver tiara which extends vertically down to the auditorium floor. A major component of the theatre is its five-level grand lobby, in part inspired by the Paris Opera House where large lobbies allow everyone to see and be seen – something considered crucial to the theatre’s Hollywood aspirations at the time of design.
The stage is among the largest in the United States, slightly smaller than both the largest (the Shrine Auditorium) and second largest (Radio City Music Hall), however its seating capacity is significantly less than both – around half.
The Dolby Theatre played host to Cirque du Soleil’s “Iris” , an acrobatic journey through the world of cinema, from mid-2011 until early 2013. Although initially booked for a run of ten years, with a month-long break each spring for The Oscars, the show closed in early 2013 due to poor ticket sales. Cirque du Soleil made significant changes to the theatre, including adding stage lifts extending 44ft under the original stage floor, at a cost of approximately $40 million.
As of 2018 the Dolby Theatre plays host to a healthy number of live events in addition to TV tapings and award shows. The Oscars continue to be broadcast to a global audience from the theatre, and since 2016 America’s Got Talent has hosted all live shows from the theatre.
Movie, TV & Music Video Appearances. Live shows since 2016 (auditions are held at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium).. The Academy Awards (2013-2018).
Video from my YouTube channel:
How do I visit the Dolby Theatre?The Dolby Theatre runs tours seven days a week, throughout the day from 10:30am to 4pm, except when theatre operations prevent tours from taking place.
The docent-led walking tour lasts 30 minutes and includes a visit to the Dolby Lounge where you will see a real Oscar statue. Access to the theatre and particularly the stage is at the discretion of the visiting company and/or theatre operations on the day and is not guaranteed. Tickets are $23 (Seniors/Youth $18) and may only be purchased from the Dolby Theatre Box Office in person. Advance bookings are not usually necessary. Further information is available on the Dolby Theatre’s website . Box Office times are listed here .
Further Reading contains lots of information about the theatre, photos, and links to events and online booking. showcases photos and a video about the transformation of the theatre for the 2011-13 Cirque du Soleil production “Iris”.., a precursor to Oscar night. giving an overview of the theatre design brief. affording more insight into the design process... (ArenaNetwork is an association of major North American arenas).
Technical Information| Flying System | |
|---|---|
| System Type | Counterweight (single-purchase) operated from Stage Left at Stage level or from Fly Floor |
| Grid Height | 89ft 6in |
| Linesets | 76 (86ft wide), plus 4 motorized linesets for tabsets (Upstage/Downstage Blacks) |
| Batten High Trim | 82ft 6in above Stage Floor |
| Batten Low Trim | 3ft 3in above Stage Floor |
| Pin Rails | Stage Right and Stage Left Fly Floors |
| General Information | |
| Seating Capacity | 3,400 (Orchestra & Parterre 1,460; First Mezzanine 638; Second Mezzanine 529; Third Mezzanine 773) |
| Lighting | |
| Dimmers | 720 @ 2.4kW, 48 @ 6kW |
| Followspots | 4 @ Lycian 2kW Xenon 1290XLT |
| Movie Projection | |
| Booth Location | Rear of First Mezzanine (43ft wide by 11ft deep) |
| Projection Throw | Approx 110ft |
| Stage Dimensions | |
| Proscenium Width | 64ft adjustable down to 43ft |
| Stage Depth | 60ft |
| Stage Width | 113ft |
| Proscenium Height | 35ft |
| Rear Stage | 78ft wide by 15ft deep, 35ft high |
| Stage Right side stage | 27ft wide by 60ft deep, 35ft high |
Photos of the Dolby TheatrePhotographs copyright © 2002-2019 Mike Hume/historictheatrephotos.com unless otherwise noted.
Text copyright © 2017-2019 Mike Hume/historictheatrephotos.com.
For photograph licensing and/or re-use contact me here.
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