onto a dead-hung batten 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.
Mounting systems 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 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. 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 its affordability. These systems are usually accessed with ladders and hydraulic lifts, or by
catwalks.
Fly system A fly system is a complex arrangement 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. == Arena-style rigging ==