Labels: restoration, rigging, stage

One of our brave board members (Lane), along with his trusty Kodak, headed up to the top-most newly constructed floor-- the fly floor. This is right up there at the top of the fly loft. Rognlin's installed this new metal grating over the top of the original wooden floor. One very cool thing is that there are now lights up here. I can't even imagine climbing up to the top of the flyloft with the old ladder and then on the old wooden boards as they "bent" while walking on them -- only to top it off with having to carry a flashlight. (shudder)

Labels: fly floor, rigging, Rognlins

Rognlin's is ahead of schedule on their portion of the rigging project. This project includes new catwalks, ladders and other structures which will make it easier and much safer for the stage people to handle the drops, lights, curtains etc. These photos were taken today. Electrical work will be starting soon, and Stagecraft will be moving in in early December to start work on their portion (rigging, line sets, drops etc.)
The top photo is a new platform that takes place of the old pinrail system (part of which is left on display backstage).
The bottom photo is looking almost straight up to the highest catwalk, showing the new access ladder on the left.

Labels: restoration, rigging

After over three years of raising over $700,000 for our stage-rigging replacement project the work has finally begun. This huge project includes, in addition to the rigging replacement, new catwalks, fly floors, ladders, etc. AND A NEW CURTAIN -- modeled after the original!

This past week Rognlin's, Inc. covered the stage floor and moved in this huge snorkel lift. The proscenium opening is covered with with sheets of plastic, and the stage entrance door has more plastic and construction tapes running over the door. I couldn't help myself, so I went in with my camera and made my way through the plastic and found this amazing creature on the stage. I was in awe. I have no idea how they got this on the stage, and it's probably best that I don't know.

Many volunteers showed up a few weeks ago to remove everything we could off of the stage (the movie speakers were especially difficult). The biggest obstacle has been: What do we do with the movie screen? The plan is that we will move it up against the back wall, with help from Rognlin's, and cover it with fire-resistant tarps. There will be welding going on and we needed to protect the screen from flying welding embers.

My next project: take pictures of the movie screen covered in tarps, and hopefully be there to take shots when it's being done.

Labels: restoration, rigging, Rognlins, stage