The Tony Awards
In June 2025, SKB Event Shop had the pleasure of working with The Tony Awards, in the production of Broadway’s biggest night.
SKB Event Shop was engaged for the design + production of the Red Carpet, the design + production of the Official After Party hosted at MoMA, and the design + production of the Nominee Luncheon hosted at the iconic Rainbow Room.
Working with the American Theatre Wing and the Broadway League, SKB was brought onto the project approximately 8 months ahead of the awards show and tasked with breathing new life and a fresh design into all three events.
RED CARPET
With the awards show hosted at Radio City Music Hall, the red carpet was traditionally hosted on 6th Avenue, in active traffic, so one of the first self-appointed tasks for SKB was to source a more conducive location for the red carpet - one that allowed for a smoother production, easier flow and process for talent arrivals, and an overall better canvas to create a larger tent structure, and therefore a wider carpet - which could accommodate more press, and allow talent to move through the carpet faster.
Working closely with Rockefeller Center’s marketing team, we were able to successfully secure the use of Rockefeller Center’s North Plaza as the venue, which made for the perfect setting, and just adjacent to Radio City.
We engaged 11th Street Workshop for the design collaboration and fabrication of the step & repeat, which was designed to feel like a cozy NYC bistro, complete with sconces, backlighting of metallic cut-out logos, beautiful archways, and classic molding that you’d find in classic NYC venues. The burgundy color was selected a tie to Radio City, but also as a unique color tone not often used on red carpets, and one that provided a stunning setting for talent to make all subjects really pop against the backdrop.
The tenting was produced by Everything Entertainment, a dream partner that produced a sophisticated, clean and strong structure for our design and experience.
All AV/lighting were provided by Frost; all greenery provided by Mixed Greens, and the perfectly tailored carpet was provided by Flemington.
To continue the red carpet experience, we carpeted the entirety of 50th Street in the block spanning from the red carpet to the entry of Radio City, so that talent were always walking the carpet for the full experience.
OFFICIAL AFTER PARTY
When SKB was engaged, one of the first things we were tasked with was creating a better experience all-around at the Official After Party, to incentivize guests to stay, rather than prematurely scattering to separate break-out parties. For that, we decided to bring the event to a new venue, sourcing the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), taking over the entire first and second floors, as well as the garden. We enlisted the genius expertise of Mary Giuliani Catering to design a themed menu for the occasion, complete with heavy passed hors d’oeuvres and food stations. We also introduced new entertainment to enliven the party - by booking DJ Venus X, as well as Grammy-Award winning artist and composer Emily Bear, who tapped famous Broadway friends to join her for a cabaret-style performance during the event, while she performed at a stunning Steinway piano.
SKB designed the space, utilizing furniture from Taylor Creative, Luxe, and Patina, greenery from Mixed Greens, and lighting from Frost - mostly accentuating classic tabletop lighting, to bring a warm feel to the room, as though you’re in a chic cozy living room with lamps throughout. Lamps were even utilized down the length of bars to further that concept. A natural greens wall was featured on a dramatic 40-foot stretch of the event space, pulling inspiration from the 1 Hotels, and as an attractive photo opportunity, a life-size 8’ tall Tony Award was positioned prominently in the entryway.
NOMINEE LUNCHEON
As one of the most special events SKB has ever produced, the Nominee Luncheon is a unique experience in that it is only for the Nominees - no guests, no publicists, only them, alone to celebrate one another genuinely and in a space free from press. Hosted at the historic Rainbow Room atop 30 Rockefeller Center, we tapped artist Happy Menocal for the design of the invitation, as well as the menus, place cards, table numbers, and a custom ‘crest’ designed special for the occasion. The luncheon was hosted by the lovely Laura Linney, who is responsible for conceptualizing the occasion several years ago, and who delivered powerful moving remarks. Greens were provided by Mixed Greens. As an intentional tie-back to the very first Tony Awards hosted at the Rainbow Room, we staged a ‘Class Photo’ of all Nominees in the historic space.
Photos by Hannah Turner-Harts and Jenny Anderson
