Hello CB - long time since my last post, good to be back.
My school district is in the middle of renovating 4 auditoriums. The primary focus is on rigging, sound and lighting. At the 2 elementary buildings, they have opted to forego a counterweight system, dead-hang most of the curtains, and use hoists for electrics and scenery. HS has not begun planning yet, so I do not know details on that one. There is an architect and theater consultant working on the project. I have no experience with pricing on any of the following, so forgive me if my perspective is way off.
The purpose of my inquiry is to see if there is an opinion on asking to change the plan to hoists at the MS. At the Middle School, the design is in the works, but currently looks like 28 counterweight lines on tracks. There is currently no loading bridge, so the design calls for construction of a loading bridge, as well as a 30-40' stair access (don't know what type yet) to the bridge. There is also the possibility that the upper part of the building above the fly rail will need to be reconstructed to accommodate the heavier weight system.
I know to add hoists, there would be a need for a control system, electrical upgrades etc. I also realize a good, safe answer will require careful planning and cooperation with the theater consultant, structural engineer, architect, etc...
In our meetings, concerns have arisen:
- Loss of backstage space to a stair system
- Permanently blocking the only wall that has the potential to add a double-door access to the stage (currently a single 36" door from a 90 degree, 4' corridor entrance to backstage, which does not accommodate our large equipment)
- My eventual successor has issues with height, and will refuse the position if there is a loading bridge...
Questions:
Assuming the beams above the current loft blocks are sufficient (needing to be approved), could hoists negate the need for reconstructing parts of the building or add other support requirements?
Is the cost of a hoist system in any way comparable to a counterweight system, considering all of the extra construction costs each way?
Thanks for any insight!
My school district is in the middle of renovating 4 auditoriums. The primary focus is on rigging, sound and lighting. At the 2 elementary buildings, they have opted to forego a counterweight system, dead-hang most of the curtains, and use hoists for electrics and scenery. HS has not begun planning yet, so I do not know details on that one. There is an architect and theater consultant working on the project. I have no experience with pricing on any of the following, so forgive me if my perspective is way off.
The purpose of my inquiry is to see if there is an opinion on asking to change the plan to hoists at the MS. At the Middle School, the design is in the works, but currently looks like 28 counterweight lines on tracks. There is currently no loading bridge, so the design calls for construction of a loading bridge, as well as a 30-40' stair access (don't know what type yet) to the bridge. There is also the possibility that the upper part of the building above the fly rail will need to be reconstructed to accommodate the heavier weight system.
I know to add hoists, there would be a need for a control system, electrical upgrades etc. I also realize a good, safe answer will require careful planning and cooperation with the theater consultant, structural engineer, architect, etc...
In our meetings, concerns have arisen:
- Loss of backstage space to a stair system
- Permanently blocking the only wall that has the potential to add a double-door access to the stage (currently a single 36" door from a 90 degree, 4' corridor entrance to backstage, which does not accommodate our large equipment)
- My eventual successor has issues with height, and will refuse the position if there is a loading bridge...
Questions:
Assuming the beams above the current loft blocks are sufficient (needing to be approved), could hoists negate the need for reconstructing parts of the building or add other support requirements?
Is the cost of a hoist system in any way comparable to a counterweight system, considering all of the extra construction costs each way?
Thanks for any insight!