ABSTRACT
In this chapter though, rigging would cover the techniques and equipment used in hanging scenery and lighting over the stage. The first and oldest type is known as the hemp system, and a second, newer type is known as a counterweight system. It is good to understand how this early system of rigging worked, because stagehands are often called upon to rig lines for temporary lifting jobs, and understanding the basic principles of hemp-style rigging will make such tasks much easier. The various parts associated with one of the rigging pipes over the stage are collectively known as a lineset. Pulleys and blocks are used to change the direction a rope travels. A loft block changes the direction of rope travel from vertical to horizontal when the rope meets the grid and turns toward the wing. In this example the head block has three sheaves because there are three lines used to lift the batten.
