The Chicago Theatre Behind The Scenes Tour August 2024

Photographing The Chicago Theatre

I’ve been visiting Chicago, Illinois, for 23 years, and from the very first trip, I’ve wanted to take a tour of the Chicago Theatre. Years ago, I finally had the chance to go inside when I saw Conan O’Brien during his stage tour after leaving The Tonight Show on NBC. That was my first—and until recently, only—time in the Chicago Theatre, and I loved it. Although the architectural style isn’t my favorite, the building is stunningly beautiful and steeped in history.

One of my favorite things to do while traveling is to tour empty venues. It’s an incredible way to explore behind the scenes and photograph the space without crowds getting in the way. So, when I was in Chicago this year for two Metallica shows, I decided to take a tour of this iconic theater finally.

The tour was intimate, with about 20 participants and one guide, so there were fewer than 30 people in the entire building. It felt amazing to experience such an expansive venue in a small group. Our tour guide was knowledgeable, funny, and bilingual, switching effortlessly to French for a family on our tour. Her effort to include them made the experience even more special.

Beginning This Tour

We started in the lobby, admiring the architecture and learning about the theater’s history—like why there’s only one chandelier instead of two. From there, we moved upstairs, exploring the hallways, mezzanine, balcony, and other parts of the venue. One of the highlights was going down to the orchestra level, where we could take photos of the seats and look up at the grand view of the theater. It was a surreal experience.

The best part, for me, was stepping onto the stage. I’ve always been drawn to the magic of standing where performances come to life. In high school, I was part of Muse Machine musicals, and that experience sparked my fascination with being onstage. Over the years, I’ve visited stages around Ohio, and I love the technical details and the unique perspective you get looking out into the audience.

When our guide announced we’d be going on stage, I could hardly believe it. Walking around up there, taking pictures, and soaking in the view was incredible. My favorite shot was from the stage looking out over the orchestra level and up to the balcony. The design of the theater is breathtaking.

If you ever find yourself in Chicago with some extra time, I highly recommend taking a tour of the Chicago Theatre—especially when there are no events happening. It’s worth every penny to explore such a historic and beautiful venue. Travel photography is so fun!