Fly Tower and Operators

The fly tower and its operators are responsible for all of the scenery and drapery that moves up and down onstage. Examples of their work include moving the red velvet drape up into the roof before a show starts. Also a lot of lighting equipment can be hung from the fly tower as well.

The people who operate a fly tower are known as fly men. There can be one fly man or a large group of them on a single show depending on how many things have to move at once.

The old fashioned way of operating a fly system and a method that is still widely used is a single purchase counterweight fly system which is basically a bunch of fancy words that mean one drape, one counterweight. The operation of this type of fly system is simple. An operator pulls a lever that releases the brake and pulls one of two ropes that run to the ceiling of the venue. One pulls the drape or scenery piece in and the other pulls it out. Once the scenery is in its spot the lever is pushed back up thus applying the break to the fly line again to stop it from moving unexpectedly.

Shown in figure 4.1 is a fly rail, the point in a theatre normally on stage left where the fly operators can move scenery in and out

Stage Manager

The stage manager is a single person who sits side stage throughout the show usually on stage left and is on a networked system of headsets that everyone in the venue wears so they can talk to each other. The stage manager follows the script and or music sheets and tells all the different members of the crew when to do their part. The general rule is that no fly men moves a line, the lighting people don’t press go and neither do the sound people unless the stage manager says so. When in a show the stage manager is first in command. He or she outweighs all other crew members apart from certain venue managers in some cases.

The stage manager usually makes two calls to each person for each cue. He or she normally first says to who he or she is addressing to standby for their next cue a short time before their cue is meant to go. Then when the cue is meant to be executed he tells the person to GO. When they hear to key word Go they can execute their cue. No one else is allowed to say the word Go on the headsets or onstage. If they need to use the word they must spell it or make it very clear they are not making a call.

Shown in figure 4.2 is the desk a stage manager would usually sit at during a show. Note the headset hanging on the left of the desk to communicate with all of the crew

Other Jobs

There are many other smaller jobs that play an important role in theatre. There are smaller jobs that are carried out by a person known as a stage hand, these jobs include pushing scenery on and off, moving props, helping performers with costumes and props, running messages around onstage and/or to dressing rooms and green rooms.

There are also many other people on theatre sets from electricians, supervisors, mechanics, venue managers, front of house staff, ushers and so much more.