Catwalk (theater)
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A catwalk is an elevated service platform from which many of the technical functions of a theater, such as lighting and sound, may be manipulated.
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[edit] Function
Catwalks are used to suspend lighting instruments and microphones directed at the stage. The catwalks provide easy access for theater personnel to perform common tasks. For example lights may need to be accessed for maintenance, position adjustment, or addition and removal of gels and gobos.
[edit] Placement
Typically, catwalks are located in positions hidden from audience view or directly above an audience, and are considered "behind-the-scenes". For example, many proscenium theaters have a series of two or more catwalks running parallel to the proscenium arch above a false ceiling. Stairs or a ladder up to the catwalks is usually located somewhere backstage. In modern theatres, many architects design catwalks into the "look" of the theatre. In black box theatres, catwalks and pipe grids may be the only architectural feature.
A catwalk may also be placed upstage of the proscenium as part of the fly system. These may be fixed, or they may be able to be raised and lowered.
[edit] Construction
[edit] Structural
Most catwalks have several battens (pipes) that lighting fixtures may be attached to. Lights are usually attached by a C-clamp or a hook clamp around the pipes. In addition to this primary attachment, fixtures generally have an additional safety cable attaching them to the catwalk, so that if the clamp or bolt gives way, the safety cable will catch the light. This is used because the lights are generally very expensive and heavy, but mainly to protect the audience members and performers from the possibility of fixtures falling down from the catwalks. Catwalks often include a platform for a spotlight operator to work from.
[edit] Electrical
A typical catwalk has a built in raceway to carry power for the lighting fixtures from the dimmers. They often hold other electrical wiring, for example standard edison plugs for tools, coaxial cable for projection and video monitors, built-in safety walklights to protect technicians, audio snakes for microphones, and special cables for headset communications to other technicians.
[edit] Safety
Since a catwalk is usually placed high above the floor, spaces where lighting instruments can go are usually chained or otherwise blocked off when a light is not present in order to prevent people and/or objects from falling through. Also, as mentioned above, the instruments themselves are attached by a safety chain to prevent them from falling. Additionally, one normally attaches objects (such as a wrench) to oneself before going into the catwalk so that such objects cannot fall and possibly injure someone or damage something. This also prevents objects form falling into a place where they cannot be retrieved, such as between the catwalk floor and the ceiling, or into an HVAC vent.
[edit] See also
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