Get a sneak peek inside the NFL Draft stage in Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- It's been under construction for weeks, and on Tuesday we got a look inside the theater that was built on the art museum steps for the NFL Draft in Philadelphia.

The NFL wont' say how much all this is costing, but the temporary draft theater has more seats then the Academy of Music.

Starting Thursday night, the stage will be the focus of the NFL faithful, and a key element will be the famous art museum steps.

"When we came here, that was it. We knew this was the spot, because of the symbolism of the Rocky steps, what they represent. We wanted them showcased," said Eric Finkelstein of the NFL.

While the fictional Rocky Balboa may have run to the top of the steps, this year's NFL prospects will not walk onto the stage as they have in the past, but instead will walk down those steps to the NFL commissioner and life in the pros.

But while the steps are the real thing, the art museum columns the audience will see are not.

The real columns wouldn't fit the theater sight lines, so a little bit of state dressing: the columns are props made of foam.

"There is a little bit of illusion there, you found us out! We wanted to highlight not only the Rocky steps, but the museum. Real staples of this city," said Finkelstein.

A big contingency of standing-room only visitors are expected, so the stage was left open so visitors can see what will be happening and feel like they are part of the draft.

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