Forty years after it’s opening, the National Arts Centre is showcasing the men and women who make the magic happen.

Faces Behind the Sceneshonours individuals who are seldom seen by the general public through a series of portraits photographed by orchestra violinist, Lev Berenshteyn.

A quote from Russian author Anton Chekhov acted as a means of insight for Berenshteyn, he said.

“Chekhov once said, ‘The theatre begins as a coat check.’ In other words, when you come to the theatre you begin your experience by giving your coat to the coat check meaning that when one engages themselves in music there are many more people who are involved in the overall concert experience rather than just the performers,” Berenshteyn said.

These individuals play a pivotal role in the overall operation of the NAC and by means of the exhibition, are finally being recognized for their long-time efforts.

The exhibition features an assemblage of individuals whose occupations are dedicated to ensuring that one’s experience at the NAC is both pleasant and possible. These lines of work consist of ushers, administrators, prop masters, sound engineers and composers.

While the idea to pay homage was derived from the mind of Berenshteyn, he said he could not have done it alone.

“I owe a great deal of thanks,” he said. “This would be a difficult process otherwise, and I owe it all to the NAC for having organized the space and having made accommodations for the exhibition.”

 “When the orchestra plays on stage, the audience falls under the magical spell of Bach renditions and oftentimes fails to realize there are many other people working to make the show enjoyable for both the performers and the listeners. I made it my job to ensure that people become aware of this.”

With the approach of the NAC's 40th anniversary, Berenshteyn found it an appropriate time to recognize and pay tribute to those whose work goes unseen.

Assistance to the archivist and usher, José Hernandez, who has spent roughly 16 years with the NAC, expressed much gratitude for Berenshteyn’s exhibition.

“[Berenshteyn] had a very good idea,” he said. “There are quite a few people working in the dark and so through [Berenshteyn’s] exhibit they can finally be brought into the light.”

Stefani Truant, an assistant artistic administrator for the department of music, also praised Berenshteyn for his work.

“It really is a wonderful way to showcase and feature the faces of the people working behind the scenes,” she said.

So far, Berenshteyn's efforts have been rewarding, the photographer and violinist said.

“I was approached by a maintenance member who told me that in all of the 30 years he had been working here, this is the first time anyone has taken the faces of the people behind the scenes and put them on display,” said Berenshteyn. “This was the biggest compliment I have ever received.”

The portraits are currently being displayed in the Southam Hall foyer and will be until February.