It has been a year now since decisions were finalized concerning the funding for a new Rigging system in the Culbreth Theater. Many things have come to fruition since then, and we felt the need to give an update on the progress made.

	Old Rigging System

To start, a quick re-cap might be in order. A few years back a decision was made to have the Culbreth Theater’s Hydro Rigging System evaluated. Sapsis Rigging, a company known for their knowledge and expertise in the area of rigging was chosen for the evaluation and were brought in for the task of checking our system and theater with a very specific objective. That objective was to find anything that was unsafe or inadequate in regards to rigging. Our system in the Culbreth Theater was in need of an overhaul. Upon receiving the Sapsis Report, the University Facilities Department along with the Drama Department teamed up to make a list of the items that were in need of attention. After a few months of working through the list, determining costs and evaluating the systems’ longevity, the decision was made to investigate having a new system installed. The Drama Department was tasked with gathering knowledge on different systems that would present a suitable replacement. After about a month of research, it was determined that JR Clancy would provide the best option with their Powerlift winch and Scene Control 500 front end.

	Removal of Old Rigging System

Now after spending the summer ripping out the old system and putting in the new, and after a semester of playing and working out the bugs, we are proud to say we have a new state-of-the-art rigging system. Here are a few of the details; 28 Powerlift hoists over stage, two of which are dedicated to the side tabs, four Powerlift light hoists for over stage electrics with pantograph cable management, and two Line Shaft hoists for over Front of House acting as a new FOH Electric and a Focus Track to complement. All together, we have 34 new automated winches: 32 over stage and two in the FOH. The Scene Control 500 can be set up on Stage Right or Stage Left, and with the remote control, we are able to operate the system from the FOH Catwalks, the Pin Rail or the Grid.

Our new Powerlift System is truly state-of–the-art and will provide years of safe operation. The system gives the operator the ability to run as many as six line-sets at a given time, at any speed or direction ranging from 0-180 feet per minute with a lifting capacity of 1200lbs for the Powerlift and 2000lbs for the Powerlift light. Many safety features are designed into the system with load sensing being one of the most important. Load sensing means that each winch has the capability of knowing its exact load. This allows a computer to understand when that load has been compromised and quickly shut the winch down or send it into emergency stop. This is extremely important and is seen as the main reason for choosing the JR Clancy system. The

	New Scene Control 500

Scene Control 500 front end allows the user to set a target range of normal load, and the computer learns the load of the line-set at any given point of travel. Then the computer will react to even the smallest of variance outside of the given target. In easy terms, this system, when activated, will stop on a dime if it senses trouble. Along with all the safety aspects of the JR Clancy system, we also chose it for its ease of use. The system is very user friendly and can be operated by a technician after only 15 minutes of training. It is very transparent, in that the system can be understood from the very top level. This allows for the user to operate the system without anything having to be memorized and retained between uses.  I encourage you to read more about our new rigging system by visiting JR Clancy’s website at http://www.jrclancy.com. Let me know if you would like further explanation or even a demonstration. We are very honored to have such a system and proud to show it off whenever we get the chance.

	Installation of New System

In the next Technical Update, we will discuss our new stage floor and trap system. It’s being installed now and is near completion. Until then, don’t be a stranger.

See our "new and improved" rigging system in action. Click here to watch a video of one of the new system's operations.

 

 

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