Preparing a Stage for a Live Performance

Many artists agree that the stage is a part of their performance. Thus, preparing the stage is one of the most important aspects of any live event. A few days before the scheduled performance, carpenters, welders, lighting engineers, sound technicians, special effects engineers, and a myriad of other specialists devote most of their time to designing a certain stage.

The first thing that is usually prepared is the backdrop. This can be as simple as using a plain cloth where images can be projected or as complex as incorporating moveable sections so the backdrop changes at certain times during the show.

The next thing to be prepared is the rigging that holds the lights and other equipment that must be hung from it. Because the stage's "stock" rigging may not be suitable to the performers' preference or theme or may not hold the weight of all equipment hung on it, engineers may have to redesign the rigging. During these times, they use oxy-acetylene torches and other gas-fueled welding tools to cut, reshape, and fuse together the rigging's metal bars and tubes.

At the same time, the stage's deck where the artists are going to perform is also prepared. Carpenters may add platforms to elevate the percussion and rhythm section of a band away from the vocalists. They may incorporate sophisticated machinery so parts of the stage may move. When everything is done, carpenters use grinders to smooth out the deck's surface so the performers will not snag on protruding nails or bolts during the final rehearsals and the show itself. As you can see, the preparation of the stage and the performance, in general, is as lively as the performance itself.

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