Broadway star designs tony awards green room – a luxe cruise ship escape
Krysta Rodriguez, a familiar face on Broadway stages, is making her mark on this year’s Tony Awards in a decidedly unexpected way: as the interior designer of the event's exclusive green room. Forget presenting an award or taking a bow; Rodriguez has orchestrated an immersive experience that promises to redefine backstage luxury for Hollywood's elite.
From stage to style: a natural evolution
The transition from actress to interior designer might seem unconventional, but for Rodriguez, it's a logical extension of her creative spirit. While captivating audiences in productions like Spring Awakening and In the Heights, she quietly cultivated a passion for design, launching her company, Curated by Krysta Rodriguez, during the pandemic. What began as a passion project, designing dressing rooms for fellow actors like Jeremy Jordan (starring in The Great Gatsby), quickly blossomed into a sought-after service among Broadway's A-list.
“Part of building a character is considering how do I need to feel today, and how do I want the audience to feel,” Rodriguez explained. She applies the same thoughtful approach to design, aiming to craft atmospheres that evoke emotion and create a memorable experience.
Inspired by art deco and ocean liners
For the Tony Awards green room, Rodriguez envisioned a space that seamlessly blends the glamour of Art Deco with the sophisticated ambiance of a luxury cruise liner. Drawing inspiration from The Carlyle’s lobby and Cunard’s iconic slogan, “Feel famous, sail Cunard,” she’s created an environment that’s both nostalgic and undeniably chic. “It really serves as an everything room,” she reveals. “I want no matter who's in the room to feel famous when they walk in there—like they're getting the full VIP treatment.”
Stepping into the room, conveniently located just off the wings of the Radio City stage, is akin to boarding a transatlantic voyage. A palette of deep burgundies and rich burl woods sets the tone, while Art Deco-inspired details pay homage to the legacy of both Cunard and Radio City. Rodriguez cleverly employed faux walls to carve out intimate nooks and vignettes, including a stylish bar and a dedicated photo booth, offering guests a chance to commemorate the evening’s festivities. Levels were carefully considered to provide comfortable seating and standing areas for everyone, from bleary-eyed performers to tuxedo-clad presenters.
The result is a sanctuary where the pressure of the awards show fades away, replaced by a sense of celebration and camaraderie. Rodriguez's vision isn't just about aesthetics; it’s about crafting a feeling—a space where every attendee, regardless of their status, feels like a VIP.
“There are photos of me at the Tonys at the highest of joy I've ever experienced, and part of that is the community and the room that I'm in,