Dolby Theatre

The Dolby Theatre ( until February 2012 Kodak Theatre ) is an event and concert hall in Hollywood on Hollywood Boulevard, where since 2002 the Oscars ( Academy Awards) the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will be awarded.

Opened in 2001, the building was designed specifically for the Oscars. It offers up to 3,400 seats, has one of the largest stages in the U.S., as well as behind a specially built for the press room with seating for 1,500 journalists. The construction was sponsored by the Kodak Company, which paid 75 million dollars for the naming rights of the theater.

Outside the Oscar ceremonies, the building is also used for other events. So there musicals are already listed and has been carried out beauty pageants and also some Emmy awards were held there. In addition, most final of the talent show American Idol took place here. Well-known artists such as Christina Aguilera, Celine Dion, Dixie Chicks, Mariah Carey, Elvis Costello, Vanilla Ice, Barry Manilow, Prince, Ian Anderson, David Gilmour, Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons had also made ​​some appearances there. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama fought here in the primary election for the office of U.S. president from their direct television debate.

Front of the theater runs a part of the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The star of Muhammad Ali is located on the facade of the theater, as Ali did not want that " people running around on my behalf, who have no respect for me ."

In February 2012, the Kodak Theatre lost its name. Reason for the loss of the name was the insolvency of the photographic material and camera manufacturer. At the Oscar ceremony in 2012 on a transitional basis of the name Hollywood & Highland Center was used, which refers to the location of the complex at the corner of Hollywood Boulevard / Highland Avenue. May 1, 2012 it was announced that the Dolby Laboratories could be won as the new sponsor and the complex in Dolby Theatre will be renamed.