Dayton’s Historic Victoria Theatre Photos
April 15, 2019
Since 2016, I have been working on a volunteer project for the Victoria Theatre Association (later to be called Dayton Live). It consisted of photographing the Victoria Theatre (originally the Turner Opera House), the Benjamin and Marian Schuster Center, The Loft Theatre, and most recently, the PNC Arts Annex. I’ve photographed each location free of patrons, guests, and workers. I’ve loved the performing arts since I saw Muse Machine’s 1992 production of South Pacific from the balcony. During high school, I worked as a stagehand during Muse Machine’s The Music Man and Me And My Girl. At that time, I fell in love with musicals and old theatre buildings. I was able to create beautiful photos inside and out of downtown Dayton’s only historic theater.
These are my images from a 2019 photo shoot at this fully restored and gorgeous downtown theatre. The venue sits at the corner of First Street and Main Street in downtown Dayton. Check out the Association’s website for more information! VTA has changed its name to Dayton Live. Smaller shows that can be accommodated on a smaller stage can be held here instead of at the Schuster Center (which is larger). No matter what you see, you’ll see a good show at any of our arts organizations’ venues. Check out my other Dayton commercial photography.
Special access has been many times to me for Dayton Live’s properties. These photos are of various sections of the balcony, orchestra section, and upstage. I love the images from upstage looking out into the auditorium with the ghost light on stage. More about that in a second.
Signature Shot Of Dayton’s Historic Victoria Theatre
One of my signature shots is taken from upstage looking toward the auditorium. For this photo I handheld the camera and shot the ghost light directly between stage right and stage left. For later theatre photos, i set it on the stage instead of holding it. Regardless, the photo is beautiful. The photos below show various aspects of what the performers see and what the visitors see. I have been on this stage for multiple nights as part of two productions, and nothing matches the view of the audience from the stage.
Signature Shot Of Dayton’s Historic Theater
One of my signature shots is taken from upstage looking toward the auditorium. For this photo I handheld the camera and shot the ghost light directly between stage right and stage left. For later theatre photos, i set it on the stage instead of holding it. Regardless, the photo is beautiful. The photos below show various aspects of what the performers see and what the visitors see. I have been on this stage for multiple nights as part of two productions, and nothing matches the view of the audience from the stage.
Victoria Theatre Exterior Photos External Photos Dayton Ohio
May 6, 2016, was the Victoria Theatre’s 150th Anniversary Instameet sponsored by #Daytongram. I am a well-known Dayton wedding photographer and Cincinnati wedding photographer who spends his free time photographing iconic Dayton properties such as the historic theater. Victoria’s exterior photos are part of my commercial photography portfolio. Tom who runs Daytongram organized the event, and several local photographers and local social media influencers showed up.
Before the event, I went to the top of the CareSource parking garage at 1st Street and Main Street to shoot aerial photos of the exterior of the theater. It is an underused photography spot that is good for various views of Dayton Ohio. Below is the first set of outdoor aerial photos in a series of images I am releasing in the coming days. These images feature Dayton’s oldest theatre, having survived two fires and the flood of 1913. Happy 150th Anniversary! Thank you for allowing this professional Dayton photographer to photograph this amazing venue.
This Dayton theatre holds a special place in my heart because, in high school, I participated in two Muse Machine musicals. I worked as a stagehand on stage left and had so much fun.
Dayton Live’s The Next Stage Donor Gift February 2020
Thank you to Dayton Live for featuring my Victoria Theatre, Schuster Center, The Loft, and PNC Arts Annex images in their “The Next Stage” donor gift book in February 2020. 90% of the images in the book are mine. This photo project of mine started with an Instameet at the Victoria around 2015/2016!
I have loved the theaters in Dayton for decades, and a goal of mine was to photograph each empty. Along the same lines, I wanted to spend some time capturing the exterior facades. Over the years I accomplished both and was asked back to Dayton Live’s (new name) venues to photograph even more. It was a huge honor when they asked for permission to make this beautiful donor photo book. Check out my other Dayton commercial photography.
Published Theater Photography
Having worked at the University of Dayton for 14 years, I had my photos published tens of thousands of times. Each time I was honored. But when Dayton Live printed hundreds of one-of-a-kind photo books to use as donor gifts, I was extra excited. Seeing my work in print and knowing it was going out to the biggest donors in the Miami Valley was incredibly humbling. I just love Dayton, theaters, and photography. Being able to combine all three into something commemorating such a huge anniversary for Dayton was amazing.
Key Takeaways
- Since 2016, I have volunteered to photograph all of Dayton Live’s beautiful theaters
- I captured images of the theatre’s interior and exterior, showcasing its beauty and unique features like the ghost light on stage.
- I have a strong connection to the theatre, having participated in high school musicals and serving as a stagehand during various productions.
Check out more of my Dayton and Cincinnati commercial photography and corporate photography clients.
