When the curtain rises on a Broadway show, audiences are captivated by the spectacle on stage. However, the journey from rehearsal to opening night involves a complex web of preparation that often goes unnoticed. In the heart of Western New York, a Hamburg facility has become a pivotal player in this process, serving as the national headquarters for touring productions that grace stages across the country, including those at Shea’s Performing Arts Center.
The facility, operated by NETworks Presentationsis a bustling hub of activity where crews work tirelessly to bring some of the biggest touring productions to life. The company, which produces national tours of Broadway shows, has relocated its national production operations to Western New York, making the Southtowns a key stop in the journey from rehearsal to opening night.
The traveling city behind Broadway tours
NETworks Presentations is responsible for producing anywhere from 10 to 14 shows per season, which tour the country. While the company’s name may not be familiar to theatergoers, its productions likely are. NETworks has produced tours of major Broadway hits and has six shows in Shea’s Performing Arts Center’s upcoming season.
Putting productions on the road requires much more than actors and a stage. As Jason Juenker, senior director of production management for NETworks Presentations, explains, “We’re a traveling city when we go on the road. We go into an empty theatre and have to bring everything with us, including the floor, the lights, the sound, scenic elements, costumes, props and elements to make it happen.”
A treasure trove of theatrical artifacts
The facility is a treasure trove of theatrical artifacts, with rows of costumes, props, set pieces, and equipment filling the warehouse. The 60,000 square foot space serves as the company’s primary production hub, where everything from costumes to scenic elements is prepared for the road.
In addition to its production work, the facility also serves as a storage rental center for theatrical productions. Asset Manager Rick Haug helps organize thousands of items used in past and current shows. “Some of the things that I’m now managing are the ones I probably saw on actors in New York City as a 12-year-old kid when I first saw it on Broadway,” Haug said.
Many of those costumes, props, and set pieces are rented to community theaters and professional productions. “We have a lot of costumes and props and scenery that we rent out,” Haug said. “We rent out to theaters. We will rent to larger professional theaters.”
A public warehouse sale and a Buffalo native’s pride
The company is preparing for a public warehouse sale from June 12 through June 14 at 4091 Jeffrey Blvd, Buffalo, NY, 14219. The event features costumes, props, music, furniture, and other items from productions that have traveled stages across the nation.
For Juenker, a Buffalo native, bringing the operation home carries special meaning. “To bring this kind of work to Buffalo really means a lot to me personally,” said Juenker. “There’s a lot of costumes, shows, props, furniture, music equipment,” he added.
While Broadway may be centered in New York City, a growing part of the industry calls Western New York home. The Hamburg facility plays a crucial role in helping send productions from Hamburg to audiences across the country, making it a vital part of the Broadway touring ecosystem.
