The Miller is a unique venue - a free, outdoor, full-proscenium theatre; the original facility was built in 1923. Rebuilt in 1968, the Miller now includes a 64' x 41' stage, 54 line sets, orchestra lift and a 100-ton air conditioning system to cool the performance area. Seating is provided for approximately 1,700 patrons, with a sloping lawn that accommodates roughly 4,500 more.
To assist with the renovation, J.R. Clancy turned to Beck Studios; the two firms have partnered for more than 20 years and together have nearly 300 years of combined experience. Beck Studios is a J.R. Clancy dealer, also helping with rigging installations and project management. "It's a great partnership," says Matt Mullen, vice president of Beck Studios. Mullen first joined Beck Studios over 30 years ago; several years ago he left to work at J.R. Clancy for two years in domestic sales.
In the Miller renovation, Mullen says basically everything was ripped out - except the T-bar guide tracks - and replaced with new equipment, including new loft blocks, head blocks, arbors and floor blocks, new locking rail and SceneControl controller. Of the 50+ counterweight sets, 10 lighting battens were changed to motor-assist. Mullen says this is a big timesaver, enabling the Miller's crew to hang or take off lights without going up and loading/unloading weights. The theatre consultant on the project was Tom Folsom with KTRP, Inc.
Before the rigging renovation, it took two or three crew members to move the most heavily loaded line sets. Now one person can do it easily.
The difference? J.R. Clancy developed a compensating chain system that was customized to the existing guide system. "The benefits are tremendous," says Mullen. Normally a compensating chain system will occupy a considerable amount of space offstage of the guide system. In the past, retrofitting a compensating chain meant that the guide system had to be totally dismantled and often the fly galleries needed to be relocated further onstage.
"This was the first compensating chain system I've seen that was adaptable to an existing set," explains Mullen. "This retrofit really worked well." In operation, the compensating chain system offsets the shifting lift line weight at any position. This maintains the set's balance and keeps the set moving with the same effort throughout its travel.
Along with increased speed, the new rigging system has also improved flexibility, ease of operation and safety. "Previously, staff members were climbing up to the loading bridge and taking off weights just to remove a couple of lights or tie off a set, making lighting changes to out-of-balance sets," Mullen explains. "With motorized rigging, it now comes down the touch of a button, so they can add or remove a light easily and safely."
(Jim Evans)
