The Rigging Department is a part of the Carpentry Department. Riggers are carpenter who specialize in installing and running fly systems of various types. The "riggers" who operate rope and counterweight systems are usually called "flymen", and are considered part of the Carpentry running crew on a show call. When "riggers" is used as a job description, it usually refers to those who install rigging systems, either permanent house installs or more often temporary systems for concerts and road shows.
"Riggers" are further divided into "Up-riggers" and "Down-riggers". Up-riggers work up in the air, in the roof structure of an arena or concert stage, or on the grid of a theatre. Down-riggers work on the floor, assembling gear and then sending it up to the up-riggers on ropes. Both positions are areas of great responsibility, requiring training and a thorough understanding of rigging principles, structural engineering, and the specifics of our venues' capabilities. A Master Rigger must be able to evaluate a proposed load, determine if the support structure can handle it safely, back up that determination, and be willing to refuse to install a rig if it cannot be done safely, even under pressure from venue, promoter, road crew, peers, etc.
For these reasons, Riggers are often treated as an almost separate department, with separate calls and pay scales. Requirements to be a rigger are different than other "departments" in Local 470. Rigging MUST be learned on-the-job under journeyman riggers, and riggers must demonstrate on-the-job competence before being admitted as Rigger Members. Stagehands desiring placement on the riggers call list must pass a written and practical test. Most riggers become Stagehands before adding rigging as a specialty, but occasionally a member is admitted as a "Rigger" member after passing the Rigging tests and passing the Basic Knowledge portions of the Journeyman Stagehand written test. Adopted May, 2021.
Some basic knowledge of rigging practices can be acquired before working on a show as a beginning rigger. To that end, Local 470 has several resources available below.