Light Reading | Jul 2008

LiveDesign: "One of the major changes poised to sweep through theatres and other performance buildings in the next decade is the move to automation. At conferences in London, industry leaders, those involved with major theatres and opera houses, representatives from Cirque du Soleil, and engineers from most of the major stage engineering companies have described the benefits, approaches, and pitfalls of these developments. Many US venues have forestage lifts or orchestra pits operating on Serapid Rigid Chain or Spiralift mechanisms, and companies like JR Clancy, PDO, Texas Scenic, and Vortek are handling increasing numbers of motorized rigging installations. Powered movement of scenery, lighting, floors, and even walls is becoming more widespread in medium-scale and smaller venues, and with this, comes a greater need for knowledge and understanding."