Education means a lot of things at Flyhouse. We often talk about our Online Training program—we’re incredibly proud of the free and low-cost resources we have offered to the rigging public in recent years, and all the connections that have been made through these sessions. But Flyhouse is a lot more than just Online Training.
Earlier this month, The United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT) hosted their 62nd Annual Conference & Stage Expo in Baltimore. And Flyhouse was there! Our own Ed was a panelist on Planning for Riggers. This session was aimed at considering the practical challenges involved with a rigging plan, not just the engineering and load calculations—including case studies that explored different challenges and how they were overcome. Flyhouse also participated in a Ground Rigging Lab, one of about eight hands-on labs at the conference.
After years of theory-only in online classes, we were thrilled to be part of these hands-on opportunities in lighting, digital media, sound, painting, costuming, props, installed rigging, and ground rigging skills for arena riggers. The labs were a huge success, with a focus on learning, connecting, and supporting the industry.
Our Safer VenueTM program mantra is, “Inspect, Train, Maintain.” Often, venues have no way of knowing whether or not their rigging system is safe and secure. Flyhouse offers initial rigging inspection and analysis performed by our trained and qualified staff, followed by essential training and maintenance. It is crucial to stay up-to-date on the state of your current rigging system, AND to know how to use it correctly.
Several theatrical venues at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois— including the Cahn Auditorium and Josephine Louis Theater (part of the Wirtz Center for the Performing Arts)—call on the expertise of the Flyhouse Safer Venue program. We were contacted by Northwestern’s Risk Management Department and OSHA Specialist Lead to help solve numerous recent OSHA concerns in these older theater spaces. Both venues required major updates to their backstage fall protection. Learn more about these projects here.
Fall protection training is not unique to Northwestern venues. At the famed Steppenwolf Theatre Company in Chicago, we installed fall protection systems in two venues and developed plans for safe use of the systems—training users and conducting rescues. We followed our installation with training for all users, including hands-on practice using the equipment, performing inspections, and simulating rescues.
And Flyhouse is doing the same at the Ronald O. Perelman Performing Arts Center (PAC), a new 129,000 square foot venue currently under construction on the World Trade Center campus in Lower Manhattan, New York. In addition to the original overhead systems (rigging) design and installation scope of this project, Flyhouse was asked to design and install a fall protection system that could be as flexible as the new venue will be, and to train the Perelman crews on how to use it.
