In this episode we learn about the New York State Theater and the New York City Ballet from a new perspective: backstage! Perry Silvey...

“The night was mild, a star glittered somewhere in the distance, the water of the plaza fountain soared and splashed, and a brass quintet...

“About 1,000 workmen and their wives will see the New York City Ballet, under George Balanchine’s direction, go through its first dress...

The Chandelier The central "globe" chandelier that shines down on the auditorium of the New York State Theater weighs two tons, has 55...

Tonight we welcome audiences back to the New York City Ballet for the spring season! Playing in the background is “Fanfare for a New...

The View from the Stage “The best way to describe the theatre as a vista is to stand on its stage and look out and up. It has size, yet...

“Balanchine looked at the orchestra pit and decided it was much too small. Johnson had not realized that the ballet planned to use a...

“While the New York State Theater was under construction, Johnson also proposed the purchase of several sculptures by Reuben Nakian,...

“In the New York State Theater, Philip Johnson wanted to counter the highly rectilinear nature of the Grand Promenade with two very large...

The Beaded Curtains "From the entire height of the roof, a deep curtain of brass bead drops, shimmering constantly in the slight breath...

"The sparse and mineral elegance of the promenade, filled by human movement is symbolic of the New York City Ballet’s spirit and...

“Performances commence when audiences first enter the houses which frame them..." "...large theaters are more than shelter. Intermissions...

“Outside it is a super sight, Greek-like in simplicity and strength, harmony of mass and space. A gem, soothing to the eye inside it is a...

“A special occasion for city officials was arranged to inaugurate the Lincoln Center fountain. For several months the fountain had been...

“Subsequently, Johnson was asked to develop a plan for the plaza pavement pattern. He proposed a series of concentric circles with spokes...

Sprung Floors "In certain details, such as a special stage floor built with springs, [NYCB's] requirements were complex. But their needs...

The New York State Theater was built on schedule and within one percent of its authorized budget. Approximately 1,000 workers were...

Philip Johnson: “Once the siting was agreed upon, we needed to use materials that would reflect the Classicism I was striving for. Poured...

Philip Johnson: "The New York State Theater was designed with Classicism in mind. When I began to plan the ballet theater in the 1950s, I...

Johnson's History with Early NYCB Philip Johnson was in some way the obvious choice of architect to design what was to be the dance...