Location:  Atlanta, Georgia

Photo Courtesy of Georgia Aquarium

Since it opened to massive crowds in late 2005 the world’s largest aquarium has had Atlanta buzzing about its ten million gallons of fresh and marine water house. On April 2, 2011 a significant addition to the Georgia Aquarium opened, with an $110m facility housing the AT&T Dolphin Tales gallery and show. The brand new 1800+ seat theatre has a show space the size of the Radio City Music Hall stage, encompassing 84,000 square feet and housing 1.8 million gallons of water make up the show performance pool and the backstage pools

Photo Courtesy of Georgia Aquarium

AT&T Dolphin Tales, an inspiring theatrical production starring several Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, has shows daily that thrill and amaze visitors at Georgia Aquarium. A sweeping musical tribute to the beauty and grace of dolphins, this visually lush indoor show combines live action, dramatic storytelling, state-of-the-art technology and thrilling animal behaviors in a way that has never been seen before.

In a collaborative effort between Georgia Aquarium, architectural firm PGAV, owner representative Heery and entertainment design & production company WOW!Works, the group developed the theatrical technical designs for the theater, as well as, created and produced every element of the groundbreaking show.

Working closely with the animal training staff and a talented team of creative experts including writers, directors, graphic artists, digital animators and musicians, WOW!Works conjured a magical journey that will transport audiences into a legendary story of the sea. With a duration of 25 minutes, the show features dazzling special effects, digitally projected animation, a sweeping orchestral score, theatrical lighting, exhilarating dolphin behaviors, and the Broadway-quality talents of a live performer.

The show’s backdrop rises high above the large, glistening performance pool and consists of five organic tail shapes that serve as the projection surfaces for captivating digital media. There is also an interconnected network of elevated platforms and bridges for the human performances.

Photo Courtesy of Georgia Aquarium

• The tight site of one acre is directly adjacent to the existing aquarium making it a unique challenge for everyone to master plan and design the requirements of the venue, life safety systems, dolphin support, and show production elements
• With ground-breaking occurring in the summer of 2008, the design schedule was aggressive especially for determining facility impact requirements associated with the theatrical technical elements of the production
• A new theatre, new show, with newly acquired dolphins and a brand new show staff and animal training team

Photo Courtesy of Georgia Aquarium
Zack Brown

• “We wanted to create a unique dolphin show that has a real emotional impact. We knew the best way would be to create a story that takes you on an adventure,” said Bettina Buckley, the show’s Producer and Company Principal at WOW!Works. “There’s something for everyone – from the agility of the dolphins and the trainers to the exciting action sequences and the unforgettable beauty of the music.”
• “This is unlike any dolphin show anywhere on earth,” said Gary Paben, Co-Director. “It takes you on a voyage with the StarSpinner, and dolphin behaviors actually advance the plot. The audience is so captivated by the whole experience that they forget they’re sitting in a theater.” Roy Luthringer, Co-Director, went on to say, “It’s all about the relationship between humans and dolphins…and the best part is, the dolphins help the StarSpinner to triumph over evil in the end. You have to see it to believe it!”
• The result is an indoor dolphin show, which is oceans beyond those offered anyplace else in the world. Visitors lucky enough to experience AT&T Dolphin Tales will leave inspired and enlightened. “We wanted to inspire guests with the beauty and majesty of dolphins in a whole new way,” says Buckley. “We decided that the best way to present both the playful and the powerful aspects of dolphins was through captivating and innovative storytelling. That’s how you create a connection that lasts.”

Producer: Bettina Buckley

Directors: Roy Luthringer
                Gary Paben

Writer: Colette Piceau

Composer/Orchestrator: Timothy Williams

Lyrics: Timothy Williams
            Amy Powers

Technical Director: Tim Pendleton

Fight Choreography: Colette Piceau
                                  Jeff Colangelo

Production Designer: Michael Hotopp

Scenic Associate: Mark Copans

Media and Properties Design: Cully Long

Animation Layout: Rodd McLaughlin

3-D Animation: Adam Miller

Animations and Compositioning: Eric Rothman

Animation and Compositioning: Djuna Walhrab

Lighting Designer: David Agress

Associate Lighting Designer: Lily Fossner

Associate Lighting Designer: Rick Pettit

Lighting Programmer: Rodd McLaughlin

Audio/Video Systems Designer: Steve Coe

Special Effects Designer: Tylor Wymer

Special Effects Programmer: Seth Rapaport

Costume Design: Greg Brown
                             Darin Cooper

Casting Director: Ron Rodriquez

Vocal Coach: Jim Agnew

Scenic Fabrication & Integration: Infinite Dimensions

Scenic Engineers: McLaren Engineering Group

Lighting Provider & Integration: Magnum Companies

Audio Video Systems Provider & Integration: Electrosonic
   Project Manger: Tim Wilson
   Commissioning Engineer: Jim Funke
   Onsite Supervisor: Mike “Doc” Dwyer
   System Consultant: Toni Losier

Special Effects Engineers/Providers/Integrations: Georgia Fountain Company
                                                                               Magnum Companies

Costume Fabrication: Hardrive Productions

Props Fabrication: Entertainment Design Group, Inc.

Production Stage Manager: Kelly Irwin

Stage Manager: Nicki Priest

Technical Supervisor: Micah Andrews

Lighting Directors: Chris Motta
                              Keith Rose

Audio/Video Directors: Angela Bryant
                                     Chris O’Halleran

Technicians: Rob Dean
                     Paul Eleazer
                     Christian Wilcox

Wardrobe/Props Supervisor: Daniel Barr

Wardrobe/Props Crew: Gwendolyn Taylor
                                      Dina Warnock

Actors: Maxim Gukhman
             Zechariah Pierce
             Corey Wright