[SML] platforming to go on the road

[Duncan Mahoney]

We regularly lift 8' high platforms one 4X8 at a time using the method you suggest, legs on the platform while it rests upside down on the deck, plumb and crossbrace the legs, then tip it onto its feet.  With a crew of 6 to 8 including a couple of people 6' tall or more, it's not too bad.

But with ACTF competition, how much time do you have onstage to set up?  Would it be better to make the platform a bit shorter so it can come out of the truck on legs?  How big is the overall platform?

And on to a couple other considerations, 8' is high, how do the performers get up?  Stairs are going to take up a lot of space, ladders have their own issues.  What about railings?  The theater exemption only applies to the audience side/s.  How does the performer get down through the trap?

And of course, how do the sightlines in the theater work for a performer on an 8' high platform?  If the lighting is a festival rep plot with a couple specials for your show, will you be able to adequately light the performers on the platform.

Platforming, railings, stairs, etc. are rentable items from companies like Steel Deck or Bil-jax, but set up time may still be an issue



Duncan Mahoney
Director of Technical Direction
Associate Professor of Theatre Practice
University of Southern California School of Dramatic Arts


Message: 1
Date: Wed, 8 Feb 2017 09:38:40 -0500
From: Paul Anderson <panderson at hope.edu<mailto:panderson at hope.edu>>
To: Stagecraft Mailing list <stagecraft at theatrical.net<mailto:stagecraft at theatrical.net>>
Subject: [SML] Platforming to go on the road
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I work for a small 4 year college and basically build scenery that sits on the stage till strike.  The only shows I've built for packing in a truck were already designed with that in mind.

Our current production is being entered for ACTF participation and is being designed by what are basically not designers.  So far they have a platform setup that is 8 feet in the air.  The thought of raising heavy platforms that high scares me.

Not having done this I'm not sure what my options are.  One thought I suppose is that there could be some sort of legging system put on each platform while upside down, then roll those assemblies upright one at a time and tie together.  Some sort of folding gate legs and simple plywood tops instead of framed platforms is something I've also seen done.

There is some masking underneath which could be load bearing.  But one corner is to be black scrim with some action to be revealed under the platform.  And one platform has to have a trap to get into this underneath playing area.

Any suggestions welcome.

--
Paul Anderson
Technical Director for Theater
Hope College
Holland, MI
616-395-7104

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