Travels of a Scenic Artist and Scholar: My Visit to the Castle Theater in Český Krumlov, Czech Republic
I am in the midst of compiling hundreds of pages of documents concerning the scenery collections as the Tabor Opera House in Leadville, Colorado, while organizing a move seventy backdrops from Richmond, Virginia, to Tucson, Arizona. In other words, I need a mental break from this project and American politics.
Attached are some photographs from my trip with Andrew Barrett and Rick Boychuk to Český Krumlov in 2016. Enjoy.
Backdrop at the Castle Theatre Museum, Český Krumlov, Czech Republic.Painted detail. Backdrop at the Castle Theatre Museum, Český Krumlov, Czech Republic.Painted detail. Backdrop at the Castle Theatre Museum, Český Krumlov, Czech Republic.Painted detail. Backdrop at the Castle Theatre Museum, Český Krumlov, Czech Republic.Painted detail. Backdrop at the Castle Theatre Museum, Český Krumlov, Czech Republic.Bottom batten. Backdrop at the Castle Theatre Museum, Český Krumlov, Czech Republic.Seam detail. Backdrop at the Castle Theatre Museum, Český Krumlov, Czech Republic.Backdrops hanging at the Castle Theatre Museum, Český Krumlov, Czech Republic.Backstage at the Castle Theatre of Český Krumlov, Czech Republic.Backstage at the Castle Theatre of Český Krumlov, Czech Republic.Backstage at the Castle Theatre of Český Krumlov, Czech Republic.Backstage at the Castle Theatre of Český Krumlov, Czech Republic.Backstage at the Castle Theatre of Český Krumlov, Czech Republic.Backstage at the Castle Theatre of Český Krumlov, Czech Republic.Backstage at the Castle Theatre of Český Krumlov, Czech Republic.
Wendy Rae Waszut-Barrett, PhD, is an author, artist, and historian, specializing in painted settings for opera houses, vaudeville theaters, social halls, cinemas, and other entertainment venues. For over thirty years, her passion has remained the preservation of theatrical heritage, restoration of historic backdrops, and the training of scenic artists in lost painting techniques. In addition to evaluating, restoring, and replicating historic scenes, Waszut-Barrett also writes about forgotten scenic art techniques and theatre manufacturers. Recent publications include the The Santa Fe Scottish Rite Temple: Freemasonry, Architecture and Theatre (Museum of New Mexico Press, 2018), as well as articles for Theatre Historical Society of America’s Marquee, InitiativeTheatre Museum Berlin’s Die Vierte Wand, and various Masonic publications such as Scottish Rite Journal, Heredom and Plumbline. Dr. Waszut-Barrett is the founder and president of Historic Stage Services, LLC, a company specializing in historic stages and how to make them work for today’s needs. Although her primary focus remains on the past, she continues to work as a contemporary scene designer for theatre and opera.
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