Front facade of the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood |
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| Location | 6801 Hollywood Boulevard Los Angeles, California |
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| Type | Indoor theatre |
| Built | 2001 |
| Opened | November 9, 2001 |
| Owner | CIM Group |
| Seating type | Reserved |
| Capacity | 3,401 |
| Website | kodaktheatre.com |
The Kodak Theatre is a live theatre in the Hollywood and Highland shopping mall and entertainment complex on Hollywood Boulevard and North Highland Avenue in the Hollywood district of Los Angeles. Since its opening on November 9, 2001, the theatre has been the home of the annual Academy Awards Ceremonies (The Oscars), which were first held there in March 2002, and is the first permanent home for the awards. Since 2002, the theater was also the home for American Idol.
The theatre was designed by David Rockwell of the Rockwell Group, and Theatre Projects Consultants[1][2] specifically with the Oscars in mind. It has a seating capacity for up to 3,401 people. The stage is one of the largest in the United States, roughly tied with the Elliott Hall of Music at Purdue University, measuring 113 feet (34 m) wide by 60 feet (18 m) deep. The theatre was sponsored by the Eastman Kodak company, which paid $75 million to have its name associated with the building. It is owned by CIM Group.[3]
The theatre is particularly successful as a venue for a televised theatre performance (improving production values and economies in American Idol and the Academy Awards) through the planning and technical design. The architect and advisers undertook extensive consultation with many of the leading production personnel in Hollywood which led to highly functional production cable infrastructure systems including an underground cable bunker which passes below the theatre to truck locations in adjacent streets, accessible and substantial power, and a unique camera, sound and stage management cockpit designed by Rockwell and Theatre Projects in the orchestra seating area.
The Grand Staircase entrance columns hall to the Kodak Theatre is flanked by columns displaying the names of winners of the Academy Awards for Best Picture since 1927-1928, with blank spaces left for future Best Picture winners well into the 21st century. Still, a visitor during the rest of the year might have a hard time recognizing the landmark. In a fashion reminiscent of Hollywood's movie-making process, the building is "dressed" before the ceremony, including a different sign (though not always), drapery to hide all the storefronts, and the famous large red carpet.
The theatre is rented to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for weeks before the Oscar night. During the rest of the year, it hosts numerous live concerts, award shows, symphony performances and others. However, the 7,000 seat Nokia Theatre at L.A. Live has largely replaced the Kodak Theatre as the premier auditorium in L.A. since it opened in 2007, and some events formerly held at the Kodak are now regularly held at the Nokia, including the American Idol finals.
The Kodak Theatre is also the permanent home of Iris, a Cirque du Soleil production, which was premiered on September 25, 2011.
The Kodak Theatre is most commonly used for public cultural events such as concerts, shows, and performances. It is however used on occasion for private purposes such as weddings, etc.[4]
Artists who have appeared at the Kodak Theatre include Gloria Trevi, Christina Aguilera, Elissa, Céline Dion, Andrea Bocelli, Dixie Chicks, Mariah Carey, Beyoncé Knowles, Alicia Keys, Elvis Costello, Vanilla Ice, Charice, Philipp Kirkorov, The Corrs, Barry Manilow, Prince, The New Power Generation, Ian Anderson, David Gilmour, Valy Hedjasi, Leila Forouhar, Andy Madadian, Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, Broadway musicals, dance shows, symphony performances and opera.
Other events have included the AFI Life Achievement Award to Tom Hanks, the ESPY Awards for excellence in sports performance yearly, the BET Awards and American Idol finales. In April 2006, it was home to the 33rd Daytime Emmy Awards, and it hosted the 34th Daytime Emmy Awards on June 15, 2007.
On March 20, 2004, 19-year-old Adán Sánchez became the youngest headliner to perform a sell-out concert at the theatre. He died in a car accident only a week later.
In 2005, Nintendo launched its latest game console, the Wii, at the Kodak Theatre before E3 began. Nintendo used the venue again in 2006 for its pre-E3 news conference. The 2007 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show was also held at the Kodak Theatre for the first time, having been held in New York in previous years.
The theatre has also hosted the Miss USA pageant twice, in 2004 and 2007.
Nintendo once again borrowed the venue for their 2008 E3 Press Conference after holding their previous year's conference in Santa Monica.
In December 2008, a production of "A Christmas Carol" starring Christopher Lloyd, John Goodman and Jane Leeves played sixteen performances over a two-week period.
In August 2009, the theatre hosted the So You Think You Can Dance finale for the first time.
On September 15, 2009, a concert by Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli, was filmed in the Theatre. The concert was a PBS Great Performances Christmas special of Bocelli's first ever Holiday album, My Christmas.
On January 9, 2010, Japanese metal band X Japan made their first U.S. public appearance on top of the Theatre recording four music videos for their songs "Rusty Nail", "Jade", "Endless Rain", and "I.V.".
| Preceded by Shrine Auditorium Los Angeles |
Venues of Oscars 2002 - |
Succeeded by - |
| Preceded by first venue Gibson Amphitheatre |
Host of the American Idol Finale 2002 2004-2007 |
Succeeded by Gibson Amphitheatre Nokia Theatre |
| Preceded by Conga Room |
Host of the Latin Grammy Awards 2002 |
Succeeded by American Airlines Arena |
| Preceded by CBS Television City |
Host of the So You Think You Can Dance Finale 2009- |
Succeeded by - |
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