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  1. Catering & Design
  2. Rentals

Arena Stage Hosts Exclusive Performance, Backstage Tours, and Artistic Tables at Opening Gala

T.J. Walter
November 2, 2010
Arena Stage opened the doors to its new glass-covered home, the Mead Center for American Theater, in southwest Washington on October 25 with a black-tie gala chaired by President and Michelle Obama. While the Obamas weren’t able to attend, the event was one of the most anticipated events of the fall gala season, selling out in less than two days, even with ticket prices that began at $1,500 per person.

The opening night gala typically serves as a fund-raiser and the official kickoff for the upcoming season, but this year’s gala took on special significance as a showcase of the new space. “We designed the gala so that all of the guests could experience the building, and we wanted the new space be the star of the evening,” managing director Edgar Dobie said. To set that tone, the evening began with cocktails and passed hors d’oeuvres on the new concourse level, and guests were also offered guided, behind-the-scenes tours of the new building, including the new, 200-seat Arlene and Robert Kogod cradle theater. Attendees were then ushered into the Kreeger Theater, one of three performance spaces at the center, for an exclusive one-night-only performance by the Manzari Brothers, Tony Award winners Alice Ripley and Brian Stokes Mitchell, as well as the cast of the Arena Stage production of Oklahoma!, the first show staged in the new center. 

While the performance drew a standing ovation, the highlight of the evening was the seated dinner that took place on three different levels within the Mead Center. Arena Stage staff and vendors worked for an hour and twenty minutes to turn over the open spaces, all of which were full of guests during the cocktail hour, and set up five different table designs created by Amaryllis Inc. owner Rick Davis.

This creative focus also made its way to the plates, where Design Cuisine created a colorful three-course menu that included a trio of beets appetizer and a gravity-defying dark chocolate pistachio marquis dessert.

Correction: This event report was amended to identify Rick Davis of Amaryllis Inc. as the designer of the tables.

Arena Stage opening gala
Arena Stage opening gala
Photo: Tony Brown/Imijination Photography for BizBash
A glass facade encloses the new Mead Center for American Theater.
A glass facade encloses the new Mead Center for American Theater.
Photo: Tony Brown/Imijination Photography for BizBash
The table shapes were chosen to replicate the different shapes of stages—circular, square, and rectangle—available at the center.
The table shapes were chosen to replicate the different shapes of stages—circular, square, and rectangle—available at the center.
Photo: Tony Brown/Imijination Photography for BizBash
The circular tables had all-glass tops and glass centerpieces that mirrored the Mead Center's all-glass facade.
The circular tables had all-glass tops and glass centerpieces that mirrored the Mead Center's all-glass facade.
Photo: Tony Brown/Imijination Photography for BizBash
Attendees mingled throughout all of the open spaces and were encouraged to take guided tours during the cocktail hour.
Attendees mingled throughout all of the open spaces and were encouraged to take guided tours during the cocktail hour.
Photo: Tony Brown/Imijination Photography for BizBash
Design Cuisine served a colorful entrée of thyme-roasted Colorado lamb with potato dauphinoise and butternut squash.
Design Cuisine served a colorful entrée of thyme-roasted Colorado lamb with potato dauphinoise and butternut squash.
Photo: Tony Brown/Imijination Photography for BizBash
The eight square tables featured a 14-foot-tall bamboo centerpiece chosen to mimic the bamboo used throughout the Mead Center.
The eight square tables featured a 14-foot-tall bamboo centerpiece chosen to mimic the bamboo used throughout the Mead Center.
Photo: Tony Brown/Imijination Photography for BizBash
Rick Davis owner of Amaryllis Inc. created five different table designs for the seated dinner.
Rick Davis owner of Amaryllis Inc. created five different table designs for the seated dinner.
Photo: Tony Brown/Imijination Photography for BizBash
During the performance, the concourse level was transformed from an open cocktail-reception space to the main dining area for the seated dinner.
During the performance, the concourse level was transformed from an open cocktail-reception space to the main dining area for the seated dinner.
Photo: Tony Brown/Imijination Photography for BizBash
Attendees dined on three different levels of the new Mead Center.
Attendees dined on three different levels of the new Mead Center.
Photo: Tony Brown/Imijination Photography for BizBash
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