For our installment of our behind-the-scenes series, we discussed rigging and
technical theater with Matthew Pappas, who is currently working as the Assistant
Technical Service Coordinator at the Union Colony Civic Center in Colorado. He is actively
working at the theater and has extensive technical theater experience.

When asking how rigging enhances a production, Pappas says “rigging can add extra
dimension. It can take the place of an extra crew hand; if something is automated, it saves
on cost and efficiency. It can allow for more than just a fly system”.

Rigging is one of the many important technical elements that bring a production to life. It is
often the way that lights, set pieces, and audio are all suspended above the stage. It’s how
Elphaba defies gravity and how the magic carpet flies in Aladdin. It is a job that requires
immense skill. “In order to do rigging, you have to be good with heights, and you have to
have very fine dexterity. A lot of the job deals with ropes and chains, and those motors
don’t stop for anything”. This is why training and proper education is critical.

During load-in or load-out, a 16-to-20-hour day is not out of the ordinary, and there is always work to be done to ensure everyone’s safety and to make sure that a production runs as smooth as possible. For Pappas, transparency is the most critical element of the job from both a technical and artistic perspective. Making sure that there is a clear line of communication between all departments ensures safety and a smooth production, and being transparent about aesthetic, the production constraints, and end goals creates a beautiful one.

Despite the grueling nature of the job, it has the potential to be one of the most rewarding.
According to Pappas, “the magic that riggers can produce- the artistic knots, making sure
something is stable (whether it’s a live load or a static load) …it’s incredibly gratifying to
see the results of that hard work.”

Seeing a successful production with incredible rigging is truly a magical experience. A difficult move backstage that produces a seamless transition onstage is a large part of what makes live theater so captivating. The ability to create a space that tells a story is a gift, and rigging is an incredible way to make that happen. Safe and well-executed rigging is usually never seen from the audience, and why a good rigger equates to a magician who avoids the spotlight.