Dolby Theatre, Hollywood

Overview

Hollywood’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:

a “media cockpit” control and camera area, on a hydraulic lift, in the center of the Orchestra seating, convertible into regular seating when not required for large-scale productions and broadcasts.
Concealed channels accommodating cable runs throughout the auditorium and backstage areas, as well as to external locations for media vehicles, making temporary wiring easy to rig and dismantle.
A grid above the auditorium, which allows for flexible temporary technical installations.
Substantial electrical power available throughout all areas of the theatre and support locations.

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

Television

America’s Got Talent (2006-) . Live shows since 2016 (auditions are held at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium).
Billboard Women in Music Pre-Show (2017 TV Special)
Stand Up to Cancer (2014 TV Special)
The Amazing Tour Is Not On Fire (2016)

Documentary

Dan and Phil’s Story of TATINOF (2016)

Award Shows

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 .

Upcoming Special Events

Theatre Tours (Daily, at various times from 10:30am to 4pm)

Step Beyond The Red Carpet! Experience all of the renowned elegance and celebrity glamour that the Home of the Academy Awards® has to offer!

See an Oscar® statuette, visit our Dolby Lounge and other exclusive celebrity hot spots, plus view images from previous Academy Awards® ceremonies.

Tour is a thirty minute walking tour that includes several flights of stairs. Disabled guests can be easily accommodated, but please advise the theatre at the time of ticket purchase.

The Dolby Theatre is an operating facility with a busy performance schedule. Access to certain areas of the theatre is subject to performance schedules. For more information, please contact Dolby Theatre customer service at (323) 308-6300.

For more info see: https://dolbytheatre.com/tours/schedule-and-tickets/

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