Stage Rigging – How Best To Rig Your Gig Safely and Securely For A Successful Outcome
Pinch Pleating
A pinch pleat is almost exactly what it sounds like. First, a large pleat is made in the theatre fabric. This is then sectioned by several smaller, narrower pleats. Pinch pleated drapes can be used with clips and rings if you need to have manual operation capabilities, but they can also be used with drapery hooks and a traverse drapery rod.
Box Pleating
Box pleats are often used with heavier material. These are large pleats that are made by creating a loop in the fabric and then flattening the loop against the outer surface. Box pleats can be almost any size, and the actual size of the pleats will depend on how full you want the curtains to be. While these pleats are often used with heavier fabrics, they can also be used with lighter options if you prefer.
Knife Pleating
Knife pleating helps create curtains that have a larger number of narrow pleats, and are usually used with lighter fabrics. The pleats created are smaller and sharper than box pleats or pinch pleats, and are often featured on curtains used for special occasions.
Check for a Label
The first thing that you’ll need to do before you order new stage curtains is look for the label on your existing curtains. That label will give you quite a bit of valuable information, including the width and height dimensions. Other information that can be found on the label includes the type of finish on your current stage curtains, the flame retardant rating for the material and more. To find the label, check both offstage sides near the bottom of the curtain. If there is no label, don’t worry.
Size
To order new stage curtains, you will need to know what size you need, which includes both the height and the width. To measure the height, start at the top and measure to the floor along the side hem. Make sure that the entire length of the curtain is taut, though, or your measurements will be off. To measure the width, start from one side and measure to the other along the top of the curtain. As a note make sure you take measurements for both the left and right-hand side curtains, as they can differ.
Creating the right theatre curtains can be difficult if you are not sure exactly what you want. You’ll need to specify things like the type of material, the fullness you want, the height and width of the curtains and more. You’ll also need to know what finish you need for your curtains. While you can certainly use the same finish as your existing curtain, knowing what’s available will help ensure you get the right application for your needs.
Types of Finish
There are several different finishes for stage curtains, including top, side and bottom finishes. Each of these is different and will have a profound effect on how your finished stage curtains appear. Here’s a bit more about each type of finish.
Components of Stage Rigging Systems
No matter what type of stage rigging system you have in place, it will be made of many different components. Understanding what these components are and what they do is very important.
Battens: Battens are steel structural components of the rigging system and are linear in nature. Live loads are attached to battens, such as lights and curtains. There are several types of battens in use, including the truss batten, the standard pipe batten, the electric batten, tab batten and the light ladder batten.
Lines: The term “lines” is used to refer to stage rigging components such as ropes or cables that are used to move loads via battens, blocks or pulleys. These are what make fly systems possible. You’ll find quite a few different types of lines, including operating lines (hard lines or purchase lines) and lift lines.
Line Control Solutions
Stage rigging lines need to have control options, and there are numerous ways this can be achieved depending on the load on the line and the line type. For instance, you’ll find belaying pins utilised to tie off lines. You will find knots used as line terminators (the half and clove hitch are both common knots used for line control). Rope locks are also used, though predominately in counterweight stage rigging systems. Swage fittings are used, as are cable clips and trim chains, turnbuckles and shackles.
Safety is enormously important for any venue, whether it’s a school stage or a historic theatre. You’ll need to have a firm understanding of many basic venue safety procedures and steps to make sure that the cast, crew and audience are not put in harm’s way.
Inspect
One of the first things that you’ll need to do is ensure that you have a venue safety inspection every year. This will help ensure that any hazards are identified before they become real problems, and that any faulty equipment is identified and replaced before someone is harmed.
Your Instructors
You cannot take chances with training your staff, students or others involved with operating rigging and action behind the scenes. Make sure that your instructors know exactly how each piece of equipment works to ensure the best venue safety possible.
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