Journey Back Inside The Blanket for this week as we exploring one of the Press’s 2024 titles: Stage Rigging Handbook, Fourth Edition, by Jay O. Glerum and Shane Kelly.
First published in 1987 and revised in 1997 and 2007, Stage Rigging Handbook remains the only book in any language that covers the design, operation, and maintenance of stage rigging equipment. Though often unnoticed, these systems are critical in both easing the workload of stage technicians and creating storytelling magic for the audience. This landmark text imparts the foundations for understanding and implementing rigging systems, such that upon completion of the book, the reader is ready to begin hands-on training and practice.
Organized into four sections, the handbook combines research and practical experience to guide riggers through their work. It begins by explaining the construction and care of basic lifting media. Part two analyzes types of rigging systems; then the handbook details the forces that impact rigging, from Newtonian physics to calculating expansive modern systems. Finally, it presents day-to-day best safety practices, including brand new sections on risk assessment and fall protection.
We talked with coauthor Shane Kelly.