The event will be held at the AT&T Performing Arts Centre in Dallas, as part of the International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM) annual PAMC conference, which continues through 1 March at the Sheraton Dallas Hotel.
Rigging manufacturer J. R. Clancy has taken a leading role as a sponsor of this year's boot camp, working closely with Millie Dixon, principal consultant at Theatre Projects Consultants and the boot camp leader, and Alex Hargis, manager of the Wyly Theatre at the AT&T Performing Arts Center. Clancy personnel and partners also will lead the rigging section to ensure that participants learn the correct and safe way to plan, assemble, and operate standard touring rigging equipment.
For the rigging portion, J. R. Clancy representative Robert Degenkolb heads a list of rigging instructors that includes Keith Bohn and Will Todd of truss manufacturer Tomcat USA, John Bleich of Production and Rigging Resources (ProRig) in Dallas, and Knut Skjonberg of the motion control equipment manufacturer Skjonberg Controls. Each of the three teams will have one dedicated rigging instructor, while Skjonberg will teach the proper use of motion control systems to all three teams.
"Our session will focus on the safe and proper usage of the equipment and familiarizing the participants with what is required to properly rig a system into a venue," said Degenkolb. "Likewise, during the strike, the emphasis will be on safety and accuracy of the load-out, not on how quickly the participants can complete the task."
For an intensive afternoon, from 12 noon to 4:30 p.m., three teams - each including 20 to 30 venue managers - will learn how to set rigging points, load-in and assemble truss, chain motors, and control equipment, and safely prepare the 'rig' for the attachment of the lighting and touring equipment load-in. In addition, team members will hang and cable lights, complete the circuiting, and design two different lighting "looks" on the venue stage.
(Jim Evans)
