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

	Fred Gallo

One of theatre's most illustrious backstage technicians will take center stage on Monday, April 21, 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, New York.

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, Scot 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 and is a trusted consultant for the engineering of theatrical rigging systems.

"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, 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.