The Elks Theater in Prescott, Arizona is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These photos were taken at the end of 2005, after work was done to replace the aging ropes of the stage sets. At the time, there were very few theaters still using this type of hoisting system, as most have moved to an electronic control panel, or at least a stage-level operating area with stacks of counterweights.
The theater has undergone renovations in the last few years, but I imagine the stage has remained intact. It is one of the elements that makes the place unique and historic. From what I’ve read, all the restoration has been going into the seating area, lobby, and exterior.
In the Elks Theater, the person operating the curtains and other stage sets has to climb this ladder to get to the operating platform. The door (plywood panel) is normally locked against this ladder to prevent unauthorized access.
Once on the elevated platform, all the ropes are tied off here. The sandbags are the counterweight for the appropriate curtains or sets.
Once on the platform, there is another ladder going up to the pulley system, where the ropes extend out across the stage and drop to the points where the pipes are tied off.
In response to this week’s Daily Post Challenge: Nostalgia
October 1, 2016 at 3:35 pm
Great photos, the rigging looks very complicated.
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October 1, 2016 at 6:27 pm
Thank you, John. With the proper counterweight, it’s very simple to use. You just need to make sure the line is tied off properly.
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October 4, 2016 at 2:18 pm
So…I just saw the movie “The Walk”; The story of Phippe Petit and learned about the “balancing” not only while walking the wire but also the balancing of the energetic forces created, while applying tension on the wire, via wooden blocks and extra supportive rings…Very interesting…Counterbalance; in order to maintain neutrality…Foundation pictures…Good stuff!
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October 8, 2016 at 10:46 am
Being on the upper support beams above the theater could make one uneasy if they are afraid of heights, and could give one a small sampling of what it might be like to walk a wire. Principles of counterbalance and foundation are certainly in use here. Thank you!
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