Entertainment rigging

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Entertainment Rigging refers to the systems, techniques, and equipment that suspend and hoist aspects of live entertainment such as lighting equipment, sound equipment, scenery, curtains, and performers.

Rigging in entertainment is divided into three main subjects: theatrical rigging, arena-style rigging, and aerial rigging. The same skills are shared in these different areas. The first takes place in a theatre or performing arts space, and typically involves the venue's permanent fly system. The other in an arena or "exposed structure venue" such as a convention center, ballroom, warehouse, etc and usually encompasses a temporary system. Aerial rigging is focused on allowing performers to "fly" during a performance such as Trapeze in a circus.

Theatrical rigging, as the name suggests, is primarily used in theatrical venues for plays and musicals. It is a field encompassing electricians, riggers, and the fly crew. It involves the process of mounting lights, speakers, and effects, wiring them, and operating them throughout a show.

In theatrical rigging, there are two main types of systems, and a venue may have one or a mix of both for hanging equipment. The main difference between them is one has the worker go up to the workspace at the ceiling and the other where the workspace comes down to the worker on floor level.

Dead hung systems are systems where the rigging points such as pipes (called "battens") are fixed to the ceiling or wall either in individual lines or combined into a grid.^[1] Because they cannot be moved, they are "dead". Fly systems require a large space above the stage to store the equipment which is why this method is usually found in/over the house because of space requirements. It is also commonly used in school theaters because of it's affordability. These systems are usually accesed with ladders and hydraulic lifts, or by catwalks.^[2]

A Fly System is a complex arrangment of pulleys, counterweights, and ropes combined to raise and lower battens that have equipment hung on them. Counterweights offset the loads of these battens similar to an elevator, allowing for crew members to easily and quietly raise and lower the ropes. It lends its name to the motion of the equipment "flying" up and down ("out" and "in" respectively). When items are "flown out", they are suspended out of view from the audience in a large space called a fly loft, fly space, or fly tower.^[3]

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Aerial Rigging, or Circus Rigging, comprises of aerial acrobatic apparatuses that support human beings under dynamic loading conditions, and stabilization rigging for large scale fabric tension structures (big tops), is, perhaps, under appreciated in the general rigging field, and may be considered by some to be a separate field. However, the principles of physics and the standards of engineering that apply to theatrical and arena rigging still hold true in circus rigging, and much of the same equipment and many of the same devices are commonly used. All the same skills apply in this genre as well. Automation rigging is used by many circuses, to fly both human beings and scenic or prop elements.

Chain motors and trusses are not used as often in tented circuses as in arena or theater rigging, however arena circuses make regular use of them.^{[excessive detail?]} In both tented and arena circuses, crane-bars or frames stabilized by guy cables, hung from fiber rope block and tackle systems are common, as are systems supporting and tensioning safety nets.

Wire rigging, both high and low, while simple in principle and application, requires substantial load-path capacity, as wire walkers generally require high tension in their systems.^{[further explanation needed]}

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Most entertainment rigging training is done either by apprenticeship or formal training through unions, e.g. IATSE.^[4] The most advanced hands-on training in the United States is in Las Vegas, at the Nevada Resort Association-IATSE 720 Training Trust in Nevada.^{[according to whom?]}

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In the US, the recognized entertainment rigging certification are the E.T.C.P. Arena and Theater Rigging Certification Programs as well as S.P.R.A.T rope access training.^[5]

In UK the PLASA NRC (National Rigging Certificate) is the recognized entertainment rigging certification. ^[6]

Donovan, Harry (1999). Entertainment Rigging. SAP.