On Broadway, Out of the Spotlight

If you’re looking for the latest Boston University alum to hit Broadway, go beyond the footlights. From life-size robots to Lady Gaga, here are some of the sights and sounds that design and production graduates are creating backstage.

By Jessica Ullian | Photo by Kevin Berne

For the La Jolla Playhouse production of Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, associate sound designer Walter Trarbach (’02) created a fight soundtrack for 4 live musicians and 18 light-up robots.

Erik Hansen (’01), a production carpenter, crafted more than 35 tons of scenery for the Broadway production of How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying. Fifty-seven thousand pounds of set and electric rigging hung from the grid; another 14,100 pounds waited in the wings.

Production designer Paul Tate dePoo III (’10) designed a set based on children’s pop-up books for The Music Man at the Maltz Jupiter Theatre in Florida. He’s currently awaiting word on his proposed design for Lady Gaga’s next tour.

Emily Walsh (’08), currently the assistant scenic charge artist at The Juilliard School, worked in Chicago, Mexico City, and Kuala Lumpur creating walk-through haunted houses for high-end theme parks.