Wiktor Wise
In theatres, electrical equipment is hung from a variety of structures, including pipes, bars, trusses, and scaffolds. These structures, often made of metal, are known as battens, and they serve as a crucial framework for suspending lighting fixtures, theatrical scenery, drapes, and stage curtains. Battens are typically located above the stage or audience area and can be lowered or raised using a fly system. Electricians play a vital role in hanging and focusing lights, ensuring the functionality and aesthetics of the theatre production. The lighting design process involves close collaboration between the lighting designer, director, deputy stage manager, and scenic designer, resulting in a carefully crafted lighting experience that enhances the performance.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What are electrics hung from in a theatre? | Battens (also known as bars or pipes) are long metal pipes suspended above the stage or audience |
| What are battens? | Battens are used to hang lighting fixtures, theatrical scenery, and theatre drapes and stage curtains |
| Where are battens located? | Battens are located above a stage or above the audience |
| How are electrics hung from battens? | Electricians hang plug gel and focus downstage lights |
| What are some other terms for battens? | Electric battens, lighting trusses, boom bases, and scaffolds |
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What You'll Learn
Electric battens
The length of electric battens can vary, spanning from just a few feet to the entire width of the stage. The number of lift lines supporting the batten depends on its length. Shorter battens may have two lift lines, while longer ones might have several, with a 40-foot batten typically requiring at least four lift lines. These lift lines are crucial for suspending the batten and allowing it to move freely upon the operator's command.
In theatres with closely spaced battens, a heat-resistant fabric is attached to the front of the electric to protect nearby flown objects from the heat generated by lighting instruments. Electric battens play a crucial role in enhancing the audience's experience by seamlessly integrating lighting, sets, and backgrounds, ensuring that the equipment does not detract from the aesthetic quality of the performance.
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Truss and rigging
Rigging refers to the process of setting up and configuring equipment for various purposes, including lighting, sound, and visuals. It involves the use of various tools, techniques, and hardware to create a safe and functional system. Rigging in theatres can be categorised as a sub-genre of entertainment rigging, similar to arena-style rigging. However, theatrical rigging is typically done indoors, and the setup may vary depending on the space, room type, and audience size.
Truss, specifically, refers to the structural framework used to support equipment. It is often made of aluminium and can be hung from house battens or chain motors. Truss systems are essential for suspending heavier electrical equipment, such as lighting trusses, and they provide a soft, strong support to lift and secure the setup without damaging the aluminium tubing.
The process of rigging involves a range of specialised tools and techniques. For example, a "pickle" is a small controller that operates one motor at a time, and a span-set is a trade name for a polyester round-sling used to wrap around the truss load. Riggers also use specific knots like the bowline, which is secure and easy to undo after heavy loading. Additionally, a basket hitch is a method of slinging that wraps around an object and connects to a support point, often used with a basket shackle to attach to the rest of the lifting system.
Safety is a critical aspect of rigging, and it requires vast insight and experience to ensure a safe setup. Structural integrity is essential, and in some cases, a licensed structural engineer may need to assess if the overhead building structure can support the intended loads. Proper techniques and equipment, such as the use of pulleys, span-sets, and shackles, are crucial to ensure the safe suspension of equipment.
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Lighting instruments
In the US, the theatrical term for a lighting fixture is an "instrument" or a "unit", while in the UK, they are called "lanterns" or "luminaires". These lighting instruments are used to illuminate theatrical productions, concerts, and other performances in live venues, as well as television studios and sound stages.
A lighting designer (LD) works with the director, deputy stage manager (DSM), and scenic designer to create an instrument schedule and light plot. The LD also informs the DSM of where each lighting cue is designed to be triggered in the script. The light plot specifies the approximate lighting focus and direction, accessories, address number, and channel on the lighting control console.
The equipment used for stage lighting includes cabling, dimmers, lighting instruments, and controllers. Lighting instruments are made up of the lamp housing, the light source (lamp), the lens or opening, and the reflector. The lamp housing and reflector prevent light from spilling in unwanted directions. The lens or opening is the gap in the housing where the light comes out. The reflector directs more light towards the lens or opening.
There are various types of lighting instruments, including:
- Parabolic Aluminized Reflector (PAR) lights, which provide a substantial amount of flat lighting. PAR cans are PAR lamps housed in a simple can-like unit.
- Ellipsoidal reflector spotlights (ERS), which are the most abundant instrument type currently used in theatre. They are sometimes known as profile spotlights or by their brand names, such as the Source Four or the Leko.
- Fresnel lights, which are a modified version of the PC-Spot with a spherical reflector and a Fresnel Lens. The lens is planar on the back but cut away on the curved side in concentric rings, making it thinner, lighter, and less prone to breaking from heat.
- PC Spots, which are an obsolete type but were once the prototype theatre spotlight. They have a spherical reflector in the back and a Plano-Convex lens on the front.
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Lighting positions
In theatres, lighting fixtures are hung from battens, also known as bars or pipes. These are long metal pipes suspended above the stage or audience. Battens can be lowered to the stage or raised into a fly tower above the stage by a fly system. Electrics, or lighting battens, are usually hung and flown before most of the carpentry goes in, as it is difficult to hang them afterwards.
There are various lighting positions in a theatre:
- Box Booms: These are the side positions immediately downstage of the proscenium, providing side lighting to the apron area.
- Balcony Fronts: These are hung immediately off the front rail of the balcony.
- Beams: These are located in the ceiling.
- Coves: These are positions in the side walls.
- Circle Fronts: In older proscenium theatres, spotlights are recessed into the front of the circle balcony above the stalls.
- Front of House: This is where electricians hang, plug gel, and focus downstage lights.
Lanterns can be hung from vertical scaffold poles called booms, which have horizontal boom arms. Depending on the height and weight of the lanterns, the top of a boom may need to be hung from a rope attached to the grid at the top of the fly tower. A boom base consists of a flat metal plate with a short socket mounted on it to hold the boom in place.
Most theatres have scaffold bars to rig lanterns from. Lanterns are rigged onto bars using clamps, and a safety wire is also needed as a backup.
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Safety considerations
Electrical Safety
Theatrical wiring should be grounded or double-insulated to prevent fraying and wear on cable jackets, which can lead to shock hazards. It is crucial to use the correct colour coding for electrical cables: white for neutral, green for case or earth grounding, red, black, and blue for live or hot wire, and brown, yellow, and orange for high voltage. All electrical personnel must be aware of the load-bearing capacity of cables and boxes to avoid overloading. Regular inspections of electrical equipment are essential to identify any worn areas, exposed wires, or frayed cables, which pose a risk of electric shock.
Working at Heights
Hanging electrical equipment often involves working at significant heights on catwalks, scaffolding, or ladders. Fall protection measures, such as guardrails and fall arrest gear, are mandatory and must be employed during the planning stages. When using portable metal ladders for electrical work, ensure they are marked with a warning: "Caution: Do Not Use Around Electrical Equipment." Ladders should be placed on a level surface, blocked, tied off, or secured, and an assistant should brace the ladder if necessary.
Heavy Equipment
Performing arts lighting rigs and other heavy equipment can cause severe injuries if they fall. It is crucial that all personnel are trained on how to hang and secure lights properly. All lights and equipment must be secured with safety cables or chains. When working with heavy equipment, proper lifting techniques and mechanical aids should be utilised to prevent injuries.
Working in Darkness
Theatres often have dark working conditions, which can increase the risk of accidents. When working overhead, ensure that the area below is clear, and always notify nearby individuals that overhead work is taking place.
Heat and Magnification
Performing arts lighting equipment can generate significant heat, and the lenses used in the lights can magnify this heat, creating a potential fire hazard. In some theatres, heat-resistant fabric is attached to the front of the electric fixtures to prevent heat damage to nearby flown objects.
Safety in theatre electrics is a complex and critical issue. These guidelines provide a starting point for ensuring the well-being of personnel and equipment, but each theatre installation and performance presents unique challenges that must be carefully assessed and addressed.
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Frequently asked questions
A batten, also known as a bar or pipe, is a long metal pipe suspended above the stage or audience in a theatre. Lighting fixtures, theatrical scenery, drapes, and stage curtains may be hung from a batten.
Lighting fixtures, theatrical scenery, drapes, and stage curtains may be hung from a batten. An electric batten incorporates electrical cables above the pipe, often enclosed in a raceway.
Electrics is a catch-all term used to describe any type of power distribution equipment hung from or attached to an electrics pipe.
Some examples of electrical hanging positions in a theatre include booms, balcony fronts, beams, and box booms. Booms are vertical hanging positions in the wings that hold the side lights offstage. Balcony fronts are hung from the front rail of the balcony rail. Beams are located in the ceiling, and box booms are side positions immediately downstage of the proscenium, providing side lighting to the apron area.
