Opening Our Doors: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Great Performances

Last weekend, Great Performances had the pleasure of participating in Open House New York for the third year in a row! We welcomed 75 guests into our home in the South Bronx, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the people, spaces, and work that make Great Performances what it is today.

The tour wound its way through all three floors of our commissary, with stops in our kitchens, walk-ins, and offices. Along the way, guests had the opportunity to meet Managing Director, Ronnie Davis and our Founder, Liz Neumark, and hear firsthand about how Great Performances was born, and learn more about the people and passion behind our work.

Of course, there were plenty of questions, and our team was ready with answers! From “How many guests do you think you’ve served since you opened?” (more than 10 million!) to “How much sugar does the pastry kitchen go through?” (over 150 pounds PER DAY!), guests got a glimpse of the scale, creativity, and coordination that go into our work every day. It was a chance to see just how much happens behind the scenes before a single dish reaches a guest or an event comes to life.

Before heading off to their next Open House New York stop, visitors received one of our freshly baked chocolate chip cookies to enjoy along the way. It was a small taste of Great Performances and a fitting way to end a visit centered on food, hospitality, and connection.

Hosting Open House New York for a third year is something we truly value. Opening our doors gives us the opportunity to connect with our neighbors, share our story, and introduce people to the work that happens inside our South Bronx home. From our culinary and pastry teams to the many people who keep our operation running, there is so much more to Great Performances than what guests see at an event. We’re proud to give visitors a closer look at the people and purpose behind it all.

Want to see what happens behind the scenes at Great Performances? Sign up for the Open House New York newsletter and keep an eye out next September for the announcement of participating locations. Open House New York offers a unique way to explore the city, discover the places that shape our communities, and celebrate the openness, accessibility, and civic engagement that make New York such a remarkable place to call home.

Thank you to everyone who joined us this year. We loved showing you around!