Philadelphia Ballet – Behind the Stage Door

Behind the Stage Door is an interactive multimedia performance that explores the “invisible” forces that bring the ballet to life. Through a soundscape of diverse voices, original musical composition, dance, film, sculpture, and interactive multimedia stage design, the piece illuminates the many personalities, stories, and experiences that underlie and make possible the transcendent art form that is the ballet.

Mural Arts Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Ballet partnered on a series of artist-designed
installations that were incorporated into the sets for a ballet that was performed in various
locations throughout Philadelphia in spring 2022.
The theme of the project and the installations was “invisible processes,” providing a behind-the-scenes look at Philadelphia Ballet and highlighting employees and perspectives at the ballet
that most audience members don’t know about.

Artists Lindsay Bedford, Jonathan Laidacker, Kuo-Pin “George” Lin, and Michelle Oosterbaan were selected to create and execute designs for a series of doors that were part of the stage set for the performance.

Performances took place at the following locations:

-Cherry Street Pier (121 N. Christopher Columbus Boulevard)
-Teatro Esperanza (4261 N. 5th Street)
-FDR Park (1500 Pattison Avenue & S. Broad Street)
-Bartram’s Garden (5400 Lindbergh Blvd.)
-Dilworth Plaza (1S 15th Street, West Side of City Hall)

Location Note: Performances took place April-May 2022. Works are no longer on view at these locations.