No matter what theater you are in or what show you are seeing, if it is being held on a Krannert stage, it was most likely either put together or traveled through Level 2- the Production Level. This is the area where all the backstage work happens. Actually, with the exception of the Studio Theater, all stages are directly accessible from this level. There is a loading dock at the North end of the building which can accommodate semi-trucks and coach buses. This is often used for bringing in touring productions and touring artists as well as for general deliveries to the building.
There are two types of productions put on at Krannert. The first are resident productions. These inlcude any shows run by the Department of Theater, Department of Opera, Department of Dance, and School of Music. The second kind are touring productions also known as Marquee Productions. These are shows put on by professional artists who travel around the country or often even the world to show their talents.
A few specific things worth noting as far as Level 2 itself goes are the floor and the street signs. There are two coatings on the floor going down the main hallway. The side on the West side of the building is more smooth whereas that on the East side is more rough. The smooth side was designed so that set pieces and carts could easily be rolled down the hallway. The rough side was designed so that actors or dancers in theater or dance shoes could run down the hallways if necessary without hurting themselves. There are also street signs on the different hallways on Level 2. These do not correspond to any streets outside of the building but they simply provide an easy means of giving people directions in the building. Depending on where you are trying to get and how familiar you are with the building, it can at times be difficult to find things.
Level 2 also houses the Scene Shop where all sets for resident productions are built, the Costume Shop where all resident costuming is designed and made, the Lighting Department, the Audio Department, the Properties Shop where smaller elements for all of the productions are built, green rooms, dressing rooms, and five rehearsal rooms- one each for Opera, Drama, Dance, Chorus, and Orchestra. (Click on any of these to gain more information on them.)