Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1546033
2 4 P E R S P E C T I V E J U L Y / A U G U S T 2 0 2 6 fourteen AMA band looks. It was a lot for an already exhausted crew (and Art Department). Designing for an Arena It's rare that award shows are done on sound stages. Theaters are used frequently and occasionally for the bigger awards show arenas are the go-to. Arenas are nice because obviously there's lots of space and tons of height, it is generally possible to hang anywhere, but there are a lot of weight restrictions when hanging 90-percent of the stuff in one end of the arena. One part that's tough is just the walking, it's a vast space much larger than any soundstage, so I walked and walked for twenty-one days, you'd think I would have lost weight, but the crew was also eating two meals a day in all the restaurants at the MGM for three weeks straight. It was four-and-a-half months from that rainy New Year's Eve until the first show was live in the arena. It sounds like a long time, but typically giant scale award shows like this would have six months or more preproduction, so it was a fast pace from day one. I started in early January with the actual set, that only took three or four days and honestly, that part is easy and it barely changed from that initial pass. But on the Country Music Awards, the audience is in a tables-and-chairs layout, I placed every table and chair on the SketchUp model and was working directly with Dick Clark Productions. The producer was very picky about those tables as he wanted the set to look great on TV but also wanted the nominees and the record label execs to have a fantastic time in the room. I played with different-size tables different spacing, I had to consider cameras moving around tables and the satellite stage and how to get ACM AWARDS 2026 Drawing Title AWE LLC 2857 PARADISE ROAD LAS VEGAS NV 89109 TEL 310 210 9222 Date Drawing No. 4/30/26 This drawing and all the ideas, arrangements, designs, and plans indicated thereon or represented thereby are owned by and remain the property of AWE LLC. This drawing or any designs within shall not be disclosed to any person, production company or corporation other than the named producer for any use or purpose whatsoever except by the specific and written permission of Andy Walmsley. All materials, construction and treatments must comply with local fire and safety codes. Written dimensions shall have authority over scaled. Contractors shall verify and be responsible for all dimensions and inform Andy Walmsley of any variation or changes prior to construction. These drawings represent visual concepts and construction suggestions only. The designer and his GROUND PLAN J PATRICK ADAIR Drafter SCALE 3/32"=1'-0" A2 CR8-60/79 CR8-74/81 CR8-73/77 CR8-47/63 CR8-49/50 CR8-87/90 CR8-68/69 CR8-52/53 CONCESSION STAND CONCESSION SUPPORT MEN WOMEN STUDIO #4 STUDIO #3 STUDIO #2 STUDIO #1 ARAMARK ENTERTAINMENT HOUSE DIMMERS W M PROMOTER REP OFFICE ARENA A/V & STORAGE ARAMARK OFFICE ROOM 4A 3A 2A 1A WATER MAINT. AREA W&D # # FRIDGE # - COFFEE # # # CARVING STATION L K L K K L K L X W V U T S Q R P N M X W V U T S Q R P N M M N P Q R S T U V W X M N P Q R S T U V W X M N P Q R S T U V W X K L M N P Q R S T U V W X K L K L L K K L K L L L M N P Q R S T U V W X X W V U T S R Q P N M V W X M N P Q R S T U V W X X W V U T S R Q P N M X W V U T S R Q P N M M N P Q R S T U K L L K K L K L L L M N P Q R S T U V W X X W V U T S R Q P N M V W X M N P Q R S T U V W X X W V U T S R Q P N M X W V U T S R Q P N M M N P Q R S T U JANITOR ELECTRICAL RAMP UP ICE MELTER 6'-0" EXIT 6'-0" EXIT ELECTRICAL L L L L L L MEN CONCESSION CONCESSION STAND MEN MEN MEN SERVICE BAR CONCESSION CONCESSION STAND ELEC. HOUSE A/V BOOTH GUEST SERVICES Entry/Exit TV TV TV TV Drape Line Drape Line Entry/Exit Drape Line Drape Line T 30" 30" 24" 24" 24" 24" 24" 24" 24" 24" 24" 24" 24" MEN WOMEN MEN WOMEN MEN WOMEN MEN WOMEN A B C D E F G R Q P N M L K J H G F E D C B A A B C D E F G H J K L M A B C D E F G H J K L M N P Q R G F E D C B A A B C D E F G A B C D E F G H J K L M N P Q R A B C D E F G H J K L M G F E D C B A R Q P N M L K J H G F E D C B A A B C D E F G H J K L M A B C D E F G H J K L M L K L K K L K L X W V U T S Q R P N M X W V U T S Q R P N M M N P Q R S T U V W X M N P Q R S T U V W X M N P Q R S T U V W X K L M N P Q R S T U V W X K L K L L K K L K L L L M N P Q R S T U V W X X W V U T S R Q P N M V W X M N P Q R S T U V W X X W V U T S R Q P N M X W V U T S R Q P N M M N P Q R S T U K L L K K L K L L L M N P Q R S T U V W X X W V U T S R Q P N M V W X M N P Q R S T U V W X X W V U T S R Q P N M X W V U T S R Q P N M M N P Q R S T U C B A C B A AA AA C B A C B A AA AA C B A C B A AA AA C B A C B A AA AA C B A C B A AA AA C B A C B A AA AA C B A C B A AA AA C B A C B A AA AA C B A C B A AA AA C B A C B A AA AA AA AA CC CC DD DD EE EE FF FF GG GG HH HH BB BB CC CC DD DD EE EE FF FF GG GG HH HH C B A C B A AA AA C B A C B A AA AA C B A C B A AA AA C B A C B A AA AA BB BB CC CC DD DD EE EE FF FF GG GG HH HH START STAGE 12" DS OF CONCRETE DUE TO SEATING NOT SHOWN RAILCAM TRACK 11' x 31'-9" RAMP 6' x 20' RAMP 6' x 28'-4" RAMP 11' x 31'-9" RAMP 6' x 20' RAMP 6' x 28'-4" RAMP 25'w x 36'h BLACK MASKING DOWNSTAGE TURN OF EVENT 246'w x 40'h BLACK MASKING ON BALCONY MGMGGA HOUSE LIGHT BOX LIGHT BOX PERF METAL DECKS OVER MONITOR TROUGH CENTER STAGE +48" LIGHT BOX PERF METAL DECKS OVER MONITOR TROUGH LIGHT BOX PERF METAL DECKS OVER MONITOR TROUGH BACKSTAGE BACKSTAGE 25'w x 36'h BLACK MASKING DOWNSTAGE TURN OF EVENT CLOSEDOWN CLOSEDOWN STAGE RIGHT PERFORMANCE AREA STAGE LEFT PERFORMANCE AREA CLOSEDOWN CLOSEDOWN CLOSEDOWN LED SCREEN BACKING LED SCREEN BACKING CENTER SECTION SPLITS AND TRAVELS FOR BAND CARTS WINCH WINCH LED SCREEN TRAVELS ON TRACK LED SCREEN TRAVELS ON TRACK 12' CLEAR OVERHEAD 12' CLEAR OVERHEAD RAILCAM TRACK RAILCAM TRACK BACKSTAGE +48" +36" +0" +48" +0" +36" THRUST +36" THRUST +36" 12'w x 24'h BLACK MASKING MIDSTAGE TURN OF EVENT +7" +14" +21" +28" +35" LANDING +35" ADA LIFT 5FT CLEAR +7" +14" +21" +28" +35" +6' +6' 90º EXT SOFA ARMLESS SOFA ARMLESS SOFA ARMLESS SOFA ARMLESS SOFA 90º INT SOFA ARMLESS SOFA ARMLESS SOFA ARMLESS SOFA 90º INT SOFA ARMLESS SOFA 90º INT SOFA ARMLESS SOFA ARMLESS SOFA ARMLESS SOFA 90º INT SOFA ARMLESS SOFA 90º EXT SOFA 90º INT SOFA ARMLESS SOFA ARMLESS SOFA ARMLESS SOFA 90º INT SOFA ARMLESS SOFA 90º EXT SOFA 90º EXT SOFA 90º EXT SOFA 90º EXT SOFA 90º INT SOFA ARMLESS SOFA ARMLESS SOFA ARMLESS SOFA 90º INT SOFA ARMLESS SOFA 90º EXT SOFA 90º EXT SOFA 90º INT SOFA ARMLESS SOFA ARMLESS SOFA ARMLESS SOFA 90º INT SOFA ARMLESS SOFA 90º EXT SOFA 90º EXT SOFA 90º INT SOFA ARMLESS SOFA ARMLESS SOFA ARMLESS SOFA 90º INT SOFA ARMLESS SOFA 90º EXT SOFA 90º EXT SOFA 90º INT SOFA ARMLESS SOFA ARMLESS SOFA ARMLESS SOFA 90º INT SOFA ARMLESS SOFA 90º EXT SOFA 90º EXT SOFA 90º EXT SOFA 90º INT SOFA ARMLESS SOFA ARMLESS SOFA ARMLESS SOFA ARMLESS SOFA ARMLESS SOFA 90º INT SOFA ARMLESS SOFA 90º EXT SOFA 90º EXT SOFA 90º EXT SOFA 90º INT SOFA ARMLESS SOFA ARMLESS SOFA ARMLESS SOFA ARMLESS SOFA ARMLESS SOFA 90º INT SOFA ARMLESS SOFA 90º EXT SOFA 90º EXT SOFA 90º INT SOFA ARMLESS SOFA ARMLESS SOFA ARMLESS SOFA ARMLESS SOFA ARMLESS SOFA 90º INT SOFA ARMLESS SOFA 90º EXT SOFA 90º EXT SOFA ARMLESS SOFA ARMLESS SOFA ARMLESS SOFA ARMLESS SOFA TABLE TABLE TABLE TABLE TABLE TABLE TABLE TABLE TABLE TABLE TABLE TABLE TABLE TABLE TABLE TABLE 90º INT SOFA 90º INT SOFA TABLE ARMLESS SOFA ARMLESS SOFA 90º EXT SOFA 90º EXT SOFA ARMLESS SOFA ARMLESS SOFA ARMLESS SOFA ARMLESS SOFA 90º INT SOFA ARMLESS SOFA ARMLESS SOFA ARMLESS SOFA 90º INT SOFA ARMLESS SOFA TABLE TABLE 90º INT SOFA 90º INT SOFA TABLE ARMLESS SOFA ARMLESS SOFA 90º EXT SOFA 90º EXT SOFA BANQUETTE BANQUETTE BANQUETTE BANQUETTE +66" +0" +48" +4' +0" CAMERA +5' +54" +6' +8' +66" +6' +8' +4' VIP AREA LED PROMPTER CAMERA +4' CAMERA +4' ADA LIFT 5'-0" CLEAR 5'-0" CLEAR DJ BOOTH PERF METAL DECKS OVER MONITOR TROUGH SATELLITE STAGE +30" BAR GRATE DECKS 6-TOP 48" 8-TOP 60" 6-TOP 48" 6-TOP 48" 6-TOP 48" 6-TOP 48" 6-TOP 48" 8-TOP 60" 10-TOP 66" 10-TOP 66" 10-TOP 66" 8-TOP 60" 6-TOP 48" 8-TOP 60" 10-TOP 66" 10-TOP 66" 6-TOP 48" 8-TOP 60" 8-TOP 60" 8-TOP 60" 8-TOP 60" 8-TOP 60" 6-TOP 48" 10-TOP 66" 10-TOP 66" 10-TOP 66" 6-TOP 48" 8-TOP 60" 8-TOP 60" 8-TOP 60" 8-TOP 60" 8-TOP 60" 8-TOP 60" 6-TOP 48" 10-TOP 66" 10-TOP 66" 6-TOP 48" 10-TOP 66" 10-TOP 66" 8-TOP 60" 8-TOP 60" 8-TOP 60" 8-TOP 60" 8-TOP 60" 6-TOP 48" 10-TOP 66" 10-TOP 66" 10-TOP 66" 8-TOP 60" 8-TOP 60" 6-TOP 48" 10-TOP 66" 10-TOP 66" 6-TOP 48" 6-TOP 48" 6-TOP 48" 6-TOP 48" 10-TOP 66" 10-TOP 66" 10-TOP 66" 10-TOP 66" 6-TOP 48" 6-TOP 48" 6-TOP 48" 6-TOP 48" 8-TOP 60" A 526 D 184 E 170 F 174 3'-6" AISLE 3'-6" AISLE 11 211 10 221 9 130 24 221 25 130 26 221 27 161 23 211 21 203 20 203 13 203 14 173 18 173 16 173 221 223 121 24 220 212 120 24 219 135 219 195 218 281 118 18 217 234 213 223 113 24 214 212 114 24 215 135 215 195 216 281 116 18 126 18 110 18 125 32 123 24 108 18 110 18 109 32 111 24 127 24 107 24 MASKING OVER KILLED SEATS 14'w x 20'h OVER BLEACHERS MGMGGA HOUSE MASKING OVER KILLED SEATS 14'w x 20'h OVER BLEACHERS MGMGGA HOUSE 117 0 17 208 7 161 8 221 MOSH PIT 192 SF 5 SF/PERSON 38 PERSONS MOSH PIT 265 SF 5 SF/PERSON 49 PERSONS MOSH PIT 192 SF 5 SF/PERSON 38 PERSONS MOSH PIT 265 SF 5 SF/PERSON 49 PERSONS 9'-0" 9'-0" SATELLITE STAGE STORAGE SATELLITE STAGE LOAD PATH JIB STORAGE JIB STORAGE 10' x 25' +24" FOH LIGHTING TRANSFER DOLLY 8' TABLE 8' TABLE 8' TABLE 8' TABLE 8' TABLE 8' TABLE JIB STORAGE FORKLIFT STORAGE FORKLIFT STORAGE CLOSEDOWN ARBOR SYSTEM 6'-0" EXIT 6'-0" EXIT 10' x 25' ON DECK FOH AUDIO PRODUCERS' TABLE QUICK CHANGE HOST AREA QUICK CHANGE HOST AREA UTIL AUDIO AUDIO GUITAR WORLD SM SM RACKS RACKS WORK BOXES KISH LIGHTING 7'-6" 7'-6" 6'-5" 17'-11" A. ACM AWARDS ARENA FLOOR PLAN DRAWN IN VECTORWORKS BY PATRICK ADAIR. A