At ESI, we’ve had the privilege to craft events in a host of incredible locations. Our staging strives to complement and emphasize the gravitas of the location we’re working in, not compete with or diminish it. Below, we’ve compiled some of our favorite events we’ve done and taken a look at the scenic design and the elements that really made each event special.
First, let’s look at the ARMY250 Troops Rally at Fort Bragg in North Carolina. The event celebrated the semiquincentennial of the United States Army and included remarks from Secretary of the Army Driscoll, Secretary of War Hegseth, and President Trump. The textures of the staging and décor were exclusively drawn from elements of camouflage or other common Army textures. The colors were all within the range of earth tones that compose the camouflage of Army fatigues. Across the top of the large LED screen, the Army’s official motto, “This We’ll Defend,” was displayed across a second, smaller LED screen. Included on the background of the stage scrim was the official patch of the Army’s Airborne divisions, most famously the 82nd Airborne Division, headquartered at Fort Bragg.
In addition to ARMY250 Fort Bragg, there was ARMY250 Yorktown Commemoration, which took place in Yorktown, Virginia. The event included remarks from Secretary of the Army Driscoll and Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin. The scenic design was exceedingly simple here, so as not to upstage either the monument behind the stage or the gravitas of the location itself. After all, the goal was to commemorate, not upstage. The stage was simple, American flag blue, or rather, Continental Army uniform blue, with accents of red similar to those of the jackets worn by enlisted soldiers in the American Revolution. American flags formed what would be the back of the stage, where the Yorktown Victory Monument rises to tower over the audience. Simple flower arrangements with red, white, and blue flowers, as well as matching wreaths, flanked the stage and magnification screens. Simple, patriotic, and effective.
Then there was the ARMY250 Grand Military Parade in Washington, DC, which included an array of tanks, troops, and other demonstrations from the United States Army, in addition to remarks by President Trump and fireworks. The dominant colors of the stage were black and gold, the colors of the United States Army, complemented by red, white, and blue. Two tanks flanked the stage, and the viewing boxes on the stage framed the view of the South Portico of the White House as seen from Constitution Avenue. Parade participants, as well as attendees, could see the White House in the distance—a subtle reminder of what our brave men and women are fighting for.
Then there was the Nestpoint American Exceptionalism Gala, which was held at the Kennedy Center’s Terrace Theater in Washington, DC, and included remarks from Harris Faulkner and Secretary of War Hegseth. The Terrace Theater already has a striking wooden design, and we wanted to enhance that. We simply added a SEG to the back of the stage, a string orchestra stage left, and a sleek acrylic podium. The result was clean, tailored, American, and exceptional.
More recently, Freedom250 hosted a Memorial Day Observance at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. The amphitheater already provided a very simple and meaningful beauty to the event, with its engraved words and sleek white marble. We added American flags hung between each of the columns and around the back of the stage, as well as ferns and candles around the amphitheater to contrast with the white marble. Once the sun set, the candles gave the entire amphitheater a warm glow, contrasted with the dark cemetery around it. The effect was a true spotlight on the stories being told: clean, respectful, and dignified.
Freedom250 also hosted a visit to Mount Rushmore, with remarks from Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, President Trump, and a fireworks show over the mountain. The stage was deliberately simple, with LED screens on either side featuring red, white, and blue accents. The stage was intentionally simple so as not to compete with the towering majesty of Mount Rushmore itself. Ultimately, attendees felt not only the power of the program on stage, but the power of the location as well.
The International Naval Review was held on an aircraft carrier in New York Harbor and included remarks from Vice President Vance and a parade of naval ships from over 40 nations. This truly unique setting served as its own scenic design. The aircraft carrier, the Statue of Liberty in the distance, and, of course, the international naval vessels were all allowed to speak for themselves. We simply added a podium and some bleachers to the deck of the aircraft carrier.
Finally, Freedom250’s Salute to America was held on the National Mall, with a performance from Lee Greenwood, remarks from President Trump, and the largest fireworks display in the history of the world. The stage was massive, built so it could be seen from all angles and seats. Primarily composed of various LED screens, it allowed the stage to morph, changing colors and textures throughout the performance in order to really immerse the audience. On either side of the proscenium, screens mirrored the action for the crowds, in addition to large LED screens throughout the site, creating an unforgettable celebration of America’s semiquincentennial.