Many faces of Sears Centre

You can't buy a ticket to the longest-running performance at the Sears Centre. The display of precision teamwork happens 130 times a year, after midnight, at Hoffman Estates' arena. About 40 employees transform the 11,800-seat, multipurpose, family entertainment, cultural and sports center between each show, including lighting, stage setup, floor setting, and backdrops.

Recently, the crew worked through the night to convert the arena from a cage match fight into a football field for a Chicago Slaughter game the next day. The most difficult switch is after dirt motocross events, which use 12,000 cubic-yards of dirt.

“Everything is scripted ahead of time, with safety as a priority, and everyone plays a part; it's a big team,” said Michael Carosielli, director of arena operations, who has overseen the process since the arena opened in 2006. Seating capacity for the arena ranges from 3,000-6,000 for theater shows; 9,400 for football, hockey, lacrosse and soccer games; 10,000 for basketball games; and 11,800 for concerts.

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