I need to suspend a pole at centerstage, with no mechanics showing, that a dancer can grab and then dance with....and she puts her full weight on the pole...it's about an inch and a half thick and about 8 feet long.<P><BR>Anyone seen this done and have any idea on the mechanics involved?<P>And why is it that I am having a flashback to my school days, when we received a note from rehearsal for the prop shop that read as follows: "We need a flower on the back drop that will change into a guitar and then into a bleeding, pulsing heart."<BR>

Babs, you're kidding me! Omigosh. But I may have an idea... let me ponder it some. I'll have to sketch it out.

I'm not a rigger (and I don't play one on TV, either), so if I had to do this, I'd ask the folks on the Stagecraft mailing list:<BR> <BR>(http://www.theprices.net/lists/stagecraft)<P>-- especially Bill Sapsis and Dave Vick ("Rigger" is his screen name). They're both really helpful.<P>That's what <I>I'd</I> do.<P><P>------------------<BR>=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=<BR>Jeffrey E. Salzberg, Lighting Designer<BR>Online portfolio, now including "This Day in Arts History":<BR><A HREF="http://www.suncoast.quik.com/salzberg" TARGET=_blank>http://www.suncoast.quik.com/salzberg</A> <P><BR>

After writing the above, I thought of this. . . .<P>Would it be practical to use an 8' pipe threaded into a boom base (I used to have some bases that were just flanges welded to 1/2" steel -- VERY stable and very low-profile) and safetied up to the grid?<P>

Salzberg, if you weld the pipe to a base, the dancer wouldn't be able to pick it up and dance with it. And a sleeve on the base to hold the pipe isn't going to work either since the sleeve will show once the pipe is removed.<P>However, how about we try aircraft cable, painted black, tethered to Unistrut clamped to the overhead beams? The aircraft cable can be attached at each end of the pipe. I think 1/4 diameter holes in the pipe will do, but the edges have to be rounded off to prevent a sharp edge against the cable.<P>Just an idea.

Yeah, I somehow missed the part about the dancer dancing with it.<BR><P>------------------<BR>=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=<BR>Jeffrey E. Salzberg, Lighting Designer<BR>Online portfolio, now including "This Day in Arts History":<BR><A HREF="http://www.suncoast.quik.com/salzberg" TARGET=_blank>http://www.suncoast.quik.com/salzberg</A> <P><BR>

Yes, Grace, and it looks like Azlan wants to play, too.

Hey, I resemble that remark! <P>Playing? Who's playing? This is serious tech-talk here.<P>BTW, BabsLight and Salzberg, how does one normally secure cable to the overhead structure in the theater industry? Just tie a knot? Use cable grips? Clevis?

Azlan, if it's aircraft cable ("wire rope"), one uses a pair of "Crosby" clips (if it's a temporary connection):<P> <P> or swage sleeves ("Nicopress"), if it's permanent:<P> <BR><p>[This message has been edited by salzberg (edited October 08, 2000).]

. . .And, Maggie & Grace, whattaya mean we're trying to outdo each other?<P>Shaddup or I'll drag you back to my cave by your hair. . . .

Oooooh!

OH GOODIE!!! Cave dragging!! I have the long hair for it .................wait - is this a cro-magnan cave or a neanderthal cave? I don't do neanderthal......<P>(I didn't really edit this message; I hit "Edit" instead of "Reply".)<p>[This message has been edited by salzberg (edited October 11, 2000).]

Oh, you contact improv people...

Oh, yes, Crosby clip. Just remember to keep the U-bolt against the dead end. And you'll need a thimble too to make sure the cable doesn't get crimped.<P>Alternatively, you could also use an open socket.

Basheva, how would I know? I'm a lighting designer, not a set designer!<P>Azlan, you're right about the orientation of the U-Bolt; "never saddle a dead horse".