Location:  New Bedford, MA

Date/Time: May 17, 2025

The Theatre: The Orpheum Theatre opened on April 15, 1912 — the same day the Titanic sank. Located on Water Street in New Bedford, Massachusetts, it was part of a Beaux-Arts building that was built in 1910 by a French-Canadian group known as Le Club des Francs-Tireurs (The French Sharpshooters Club). The building’s official name is La Salle Francs Tireurs, or French Sharpshooters Hall. The theater was closed for the first time in 1958-59. It opened several times after that for special events, but was eventually sold by the French Sharpshooters Club in 1962 and was later used as a warehouse by a tobacco company.  The back of the building housed a supermarket, but was closed a few years ago when the owner put the building up for sale.

The Workshop:  I will be on hand to help you with any questions you may have - these buildings can be a challenge to photograph, and I’m happy to answer any you may have. I want you to leave with photos you’re proud of, so don’t be afraid to ask me anything -- I’ve been photographing abandoned theaters for almost 10 years (and abandoned buildings in general for almost 20), and I’ve have picked up some tips and tricks along the way. The lobby, auditorium and ballroom are well lit, but if you want to photograph the shooting range and projection room you will need to bring your own lighting. I will have some handheld LED lights on hand that you can borrow.

Safety: Watch where you step! Safety is the first priority. There are some spots in the theater where you will not be allowed to go, and we will be going over those at the beginning of the workshop. You will be asked to sign a waiver before entering the building acknowledging that you will be in a potentially unsafe environment and that you will not hold the owners or myself liable for any harm that may come to you or your equipment. The theater has mold and peeling paint, so I recommend bringing a respirator/dust mask. If you have mold/dust allergies please take that into consideration before attending.

What to bring:

- respirator/dust mask

- flashlights/flash

- boots

- a tripod

- a cell phone

A confirmation email will be sent to the email address you provide when signing up for the workshop. I’ll be sending a follow up email with more details a week before the workshop.

Workshop Terms and Conditions: You will need to sign a waiver to participate in this event. By signing up for this workshop you agree not to use information obtained before or during the workshop to illegally trespass or set up alternate workshops/events. Because of the extremely limited tour spots there are NO REFUNDS UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES if you have signed up for the tour, except in case of workshop cancellation by After the Final Curtain. You’re welcome to transfer your spot in the workshop to someone else, but you need to send me an email letting me know that’s happening. If the workshop is canceled due to inclement weather or issues at the theater, a refund will be offered if you are unable to make the rescheduled workshop date. I cannot be held liable for travel, rental, or other costs incurred by the attendee in the event of workshop cancellation. All sales are final.

Model spots are available on a first-come basis and are limited to two per workshop session.