Getting instruction and help in supervision would be the best way to learn. Sapsis rigging for a flat fee will for instance come out and provide training. Does not matter how large the class so a few schools can pool finances to pay for the class as one. Other rigging companies will also have similar instruction deals.
After that as mentioned Stage Rigging Handbook is a very respected text on the subject and will answer all of these questions.
Wow I read Stage Rigging Handbook and learned a whole lot! I also read Backstage Handbook and I thought it would explain things but it was mostly just pics!
I'll see if I can get that book somewhere. We have no fly system or anything, we would be attaching this to the rafters in the ceiling probably. I don't know when we will do it, so I have a few weeks before I need to have an idea of how to. And, most likey we will have this guy who, he doesn't have a job as a carpenter, he's like a chemist, but he builds alot of our set pieces, hew ill probably help us hang it and make it safe. Thanks for the help guys!