NEW PARADIGM
IN THEATRICAL RIGGING: PACKAGED HOISTS By Jody Kovalick, ASTC
Traditional theater rigging systems developed primarily during
the Renaissance as sailors, who needed work when not out-to-sea, found employment in theatres. During this period, many new large theatres were built with formalized stages. As the use of curtains and large painted drops or scenery became more prevalent, sailing tech- nology was adapted to serve the stage. Theatrical rigging has contin- ued to utilize manufacturing, equipment, and practices from other industries. Although the mechanisms used for manual and counter- weight theatrical rigging equipment and the engineering involved has improved over the last century, the systems largely remain the same and their operational practices little changed from the basics employed by those sailors in Renaissance theatres. The developments in motorized rigging, however, have seen
in the use of motorized rigging in performance venues. There has been a regulatory trend, most prominent in Western Europe, away from manual rigging. These regulatory changes were based on worker safety and injury preven- tion from the handling of coun- terweights. The North American markets have not been subjected to this sort of regulatory direction, but the potential safety and labor lead them in a similar direction and would be applicable for any performance venue. Motorized rigging systems have historically been highly custom- ized and purpose-built machinery - quired unique wiring. Recent trends have shifted towards a more standardized equipment model based around the concept of a “packaged hoist.” The result is equipment that is engineered to high standards, easy to operate and maintain, and simple to control for Packaged hoists are built as a single package or unit, with all el- ements housed within a single device. They can be installed easily (in comparison to custom units) and are designed to augment or replace manual rigging systems. In some ways, the packaged hoist is the theatrical rigging equivalent of the automobile. You have a standardized machine, with a limited set of options, that can be -
28 Facility Manager Magazine
cialized pieces of equipment, but in comparison to the custom rigging machines built in the past, packaged hoists are a major advancement in the development of motorizing rigging. It is relatively common to see a combination of packaged hoists and
manual counterweight rigging on stages. The manual counterweight rigging is used for lighter loads that require less counterweight and are easier to operate by manual labor. Manual systems can be upgraded - ing counterweight linesets. Multi-line packaged hoists are frequently utilized for larger loads on stages, such as theatrical lighting battens or acoustic shells or production elements that require high-speed produc- tion operation. This allows the loads, especially for theatrical lighting, to be changed without the need to moving large amounts of counter- weight. Precise trim height settings can be programmed and repeated for theatrical lighting, acoustic shells, or production loads. Newer packaged hoists are not limited to static or heavy loads mov-
speed options. Typical capacities cover everything from the lightest of scrims to large scenic elements or speaker stacks. Speed options range from 20 fpm (feet per minute) up to - tions, it is entirely possible to design a full automated motorized rigging system capable of production level scene changes. They are not limited These hoists are not solely for
are based on multi-line hoists, single line point hoist options have also been developed. These may be of use in a traditional proscenium stage - es, event centers, and arenas. The standardized mounting, connectors, and improvements in controls allow for hoist units to be repositioned as needed, easily and quickly, based on the production needs in a venue. Modern control systems for motorized rigging have also seen sig-
more like a lighting console. They can provide a range of functions, from basic controls for simple up/down moves, to the ability to write - -
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