Legendary Theatre Technician Fred Gallo to Receive Third Annual “Backstage Legends and Masters” Award

One of theatre’s most illustrious backstage technicians will take center stage on Monday, April 21st at 7pm as the Broadway Technical Theatre History Project at Purchase College–SUNY honors technical supervisor Fred Gallo. Selected to receive the third annual “Backstage Legends and Masters Award,” Gallo joins previous honorees Artie Siccardi (2012) and Arnold Abramson (2013). The event will take place in the Performing Arts Center on the College’s campus at 735 Anderson Hill Road, Purchase, NY. 

Among the world’s most distinguished theatre technicians, Gallo has been an influential force on Broadway for more than 40 years. His technical expertise has directly enhanced a host of legendary Broadway productions, including Phantom of the Opera, The Producers, The Who’s Tommy, Wicked, Miss Saigon, Les Miserables, Beauty and the Beast, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, and Moose Murders. Gallo has collaborated with a “Who’s Who” of designers, including Maria Bronson, Bob Crowley, Peter England, David Gallo, Peter Larkin, Eugene Lee, Santo Loquasto, Derek McLane, David Mitchell, John Napier, Scott Pask, Doug Schmitt, George Tsypin, and Michael Yeargan.

Gallo, who started building scenery when he was ten, launched a career spanning more than four decades on Broadway, as well as film, themed attractions, industrials, major events, and more. With a degree in architectural engineering and a keen understanding of how theatres work, Gallo has been instrumental in the renovation of over 100 theatres—each now equipped to present technically sophisticated performances, rivaling those featured on Broadway’s most spectacular stages.

Co-founder of Scenic Technologies, a globally known scenic services provider, and later Production Resource Group (PRG), Gallo played a lead role in developing one of the most advanced automation control systems used on Broadway. He holds two patents for theatrical equipment, a trusted consultant for the engineering of theatrical rigging systems, and proud member of IATSE locals 1, 52, and 311 for many years.

“We are excited to be honoring Fred Gallo, a true master who has been enhancing Broadway theatre for many years,” says Dan Hanessian, associate professor at Purchase, who launched the Broadway Technical Theatre History Project in 2011. “When your competition calls you ‘the best technician of our generation’ it really makes it clear just how deserving Fred is of this award.” Hanessian trains up-and-coming technical directors and production managers in the Design/Technology Program of the Conservatory of Theatre Arts at Purchase.

Presented by the Broadway Technical Theatre History Project, the Backstage Legends and Masters event is webcast live and archived for future viewing.

The event is free and open to the public.

Backstage Legends and Masters & the Broadway Technical Theatre History Project

Backstage Legends and Masters, founded by Dan Hanessian, is an annual public presentation spotlighting individuals who have been central to the realization of Broadway productions for many years, but are not typically provided recognition through the Tony or Drama Desk awards. Each year, an individual is selected by a panel of distinguished professionals who represent a variety of Broadway production specialties.

“The goal of the Broadway Technical Theatre History Project is to create a living history of the shops and technical personnel who have played a role in the realization of Broadway productions,” Hanessian explains.

This information will be available to the public in a centralized database – allowing individuals to view the data in a variety of ways. It is also intended that a visual history/ timeline of the shops will be created to augment the narrative aspects of the project.

About Purchase College–SUNY

Purchase College, part of the State University of New York (SUNY) network of 64 universities and colleges, was founded in 1967 by Governor Nelson Rockefeller. His aspirations for Purchase were to combine on one campus conservatory training in the visual and performing arts with programs in the liberal arts and sciences. Today, Purchase College–SUNY is a community of students, faculty, and friends where open-minded engagement with the creative process leads to a lifetime of intellectual growth and professional opportunity. For more information about the College, visit www.purchase.edu