There is a jewel of an entertainment venue downtown Augusta called The Miller Theatre.
I have been to so many wonderful shows and concerts at this venue. As a sponsor of some of their programs, including being the presenting sponsor for the Augusta Symphony’s POPS concert series, I have been a guest backstage to see the dressing rooms of the performers.
I was recently asked to help give some life to the backstage area.
There is a large men’s dressing room, a large women’s dressing room and four private “star” dressing rooms.
Let’s begin with the communal dressing rooms. As you walk in, straight ahead are the makeup mirrors and counters that can seat eight people. One one side are lockers and on the other side are toilets and a shower.
These two larger dressing rooms were neutral and a little bland. There was nothing that drew your eye into the space.
I decided that the far wall, as you walk into the room (in the makeup area), needed a pop. I could have painted the wall an accent color, but decided that a large patterned wallpaper mural would make a bold impact and help create some dimension and depth.
Also, I offered the staff a few design options and we decided that an Art Deco theme was best, as the Miller does showcase Art Deco architecture and design throughout the building.
The large pattern gave a great pop and helped to separate this center space from the left and right sides.
I found a black and white shower curtain for the showers. Clean, bold, but doesn’t distract from the mural.
The private star dressing rooms were small and like the larger rooms, were neutral and had no personality.
They are furnished with a makeup space, a comfortable chair, a small refrigerator and a bathroom. Two of them have an upright piano. I decided they needed a large themed piece of art to give some character to the rooms. I like to make a bold statement. In a small room it can be even more impactful.
Again, I offered the staff some options, but I was somewhat limited on selections for I needed a series of art (remember there were four rooms). And I needed large art.
Although one offering was of Art Deco style, the staff decided they wanted something a little edgier. More like a New York feel. I found some great canvases in the style of street art. The bold colors on a large canvas made quite the impact. The lamps that were in the dressing rooms were a little worn, so I replaced them with fun black and white lamps that worked well with the art.
