theater

Mars Theater by Michael Durr

My girlfriend’s uncles, Andrew (Drew) Souders & Mark Ridge, built an amazing theater in the attic of their home in Chicago, IL. After working for years in the movie business doing extras casting, Mark had always dreamed of having a theater in their house. So, Drew made it a reality. The theater is one of the coolest things I have ever seen. After climbing a very narrow staircase all of a sudden you are transported back in time. The theater has an amazing feel from the moment you enter the lobby. It is fully equipped with a popcorn machine, lounge, and snack bar. The detail and comfort of the theater itself is absolutely amazing. Drew did most of the work himself painstakingly measuring, cutting, sanding, painting every piece added to the theater after the general contractor had left. They also incorporated Mark’s many collectibles ranging from posters, memorabilia & figurines into the decor. For my first experience, we watched the remastered JAWS blu-ray and it was awesome! With amazing sound and a big screen you actually feel like you are sitting in a theater. Although, the fully reclining seats brings it up a notch from your standard old time theater. Next up, Ghostbusters or maybe Back To The Future! I took a few photos and honestly they do not do it justice, but you'll get the idea.

Actor Design Showcase by Michael Durr

I had the pleasure of shooting Illinois State University's Actor Design Showcase on Monday, April 23 at the Biograph Theater in Chicago. It's always a fun event and it's exciting to see talented students showcase their talents. Here are a few shots from the event. Click the link below to view more.