[SML] Orchestra Pit Netting

[Richard Niederberg]

Dear Keith,
If the powers-that-be approve a net or tension grid over the pit,
could you please specify that it be of the type that can remain in
place when the orchestra is in place, so nobody falls on top of a
musician and/or his/her instrument(s)?
/s/ Richard
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On Fri, Dec 12, 2014 at 4:20 PM, Keith Newman via Stagecraft
<stagecraft at theatrical.net> wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> My auditorium is getting an extreme makeover beginning in July that will
> close it for two years.  Significant refurbishment of the entire stage and
> house is going to be done.  I'm on the same page with the consultant and
> architects with most issues.  One of the things I do have a question about
> is the orchestra pit.  We are currently looking at getting an automated pit
> although I bet when the bean counters start cutting, the motorized pit will
> be among the first things to go.  A pit will definitely be getting installed
> though, even if the cover needs to be installed manually.
>
> I'm at odds with the consultant on protection for the pit.  Their opinion is
> that instinct will keep an actor from getting to close to the edge and going
> in much as the way it is now with the edge of our current stage, which has a
> 3' drop and has a trim piece (a 3/4" kick strip surrounding the perimeter of
> the apron).  Mine is that we should protect our students and cover our asses
> by installing a safety net and potentially get some recessed or
> directionally faced EL wire or LED string that can dimly glow around the pit
> opening.
>
> We don't have any drawings established for the pit yet.  I don't know how
> deep we will be going with it yet but I imagine it will be at least 6'.  I
> do know that people have gotten seriously hurt and have died falling into an
> uncovered pit.  Quite frankly, as being the guy that spends the most time on
> the stage, I am as worried for myself as well as everyone else.  I've seen
> people fall off a 3' rise and get hurt.  I did it once while pulling scenery
> downstage and fortunately only suffered a bruised ego.  I saw someone else
> do it and they suffered a broken vertebrate.
>
> I've seen Incord's site.  Are there any other net manufacturer's out there?
> Have any of you installed any lighting around your pit openings?  Any
> thoughts or ideas are greatly appreciated.  I'm also researching pit
> accidents to back up my argument.  A simple google search has revealed a
> bunch of them.  If any of you have a documented incident that you feel I
> should include, please let me know.
>
> Thanks in advance for any advice and suggestions.
>
> Keith Newman
> Technical Director
> Cleveland Heights High School
>
>
>
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-- 
/s/ Richard
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