The Grammy’s distinctive gramophone statuette informed our opulent and immersive stage set for the 66th edition of the prestigious award show. We created an intimate, rose gold set that brought the audience and stage closer together.

At center stage, we placed a 20-foot-tall, mirrored walkway based on the form of the show’s gold-plated gramophone trophy. Flanked by curved video screens that stretched across the stage, the funnel-shaped walkway served as a stage entrance for the talent as well as a glamorous backdrop that framed each winner. The graceful curves of the gramophone were echoed across the set, most notably in the shape of the main stage and satellite stage as well as sweeping staircases connecting the nominee area to main-stage. The production needs to serve a broad audience, encompassing various musical genres, age-groups and aesthetics, reflecting the diversity celebrated by the Recording Academy.

Our gramophone centerpiece, crafted from sculpted Styrofoam and adorned with a gold metallic finish, evoked a timeless musical charm. Collaboration with multiple scenic shops in Los Angeles facilitated the realization of this vision. To complete the set, the studio collaborated with Australian artist David McLeod to create an undulating, bespoke CG artwork for the set’s house looks and nomination packages. Recalling liquid gold or flowing fabric, the artwork rippled outwards from the centre of the stage enhancing the circular form of the walkway and bringing a sense of movement to the set. Each performer brings their creativity and vision to the stage, necessitating a versatile blank space that can swiftly transform between acts and flawlessly adapt to a multitude of genres while maintaining a cohesive visual aesthetic. We were able to meet the need for seamless transitions and minimal breaks with our dynamic set.

The stage was made up of two smaller performance stages and a central host position, but for select performances the stage could open into one larger stage. These transformative stages and video-led backdrops allowed each performer to feature their distinct creative and adapt the stages for their genre and own flair. Compounded by the building's stringent weight load capacity, designing a show of such scale within the confined space and limited load-in time posed a significant challenge.

Following this year’s show, the set was carefully dismantled and stored, ensuring its preservation for next year’s ceremony. Embracing sustainability practices, we prioritize the conservation of resources by diligently saving and repurposing set pieces wherever feasible. Even if certain elements are not suitable for the current show, we strive to integrate them into future productions, maximizing their utility and minimizing waste. This commitment to resourcefulness not only underscores our dedication to cost-effectiveness but also underscores our environmental stewardship ethos.