Intro to the Fly Floor emphasizes the importance of understanding and properly managing the complex fly system to ensure safety. Participants learn the critical roles of weight balance and communication, including how to safely lock, move, and label line sets. This course covers the fundamentals of reading line set schedules, setting spike marks, and effectively cooperating during operations. Students learn that safety relies on technical knowledge, precise communication, and careful handling of the system at all times.
Weight Loading teaches the importance of concentration, coordination, and safety when distributing and managing the weight of scenery, equipment, and personnel in a theatre. Participants learn how to prepare, communicate, and execute the proper procedures for loading and unloading weights safely, including understanding gear, weight management, and call-and-response protocols. Emphasis is placed on teamwork, maintaining two points of contact, proper use of an arbor, and ensuring safety by never handing weights over the void. Overall, the focus is on precision, confidence, and awareness to perform this job effectively.
Details
Language: English
Format: In-person
Length: 4 hours
Trainer
R.C. Robinson Alrutz & Ryan Stagg, IATSE Local 415
Location: Tucson, AZ
R.C. Robinson Alrutz is a 20-year road veteran with “circus” and “Broadway” style touring. Having done thousands of load-ins and load-outs over his 30+ years career in most every venue type all over the world. Rob has held positions as the Head Carpenter, Scenic Carpenter, Prop Master, Prop Carpenter, Rigger, Flyman, Swing Tech, Sound Monitor, Spotlight Operator, Production Stage Manager, and Forklift Driver.
Ryan Stagg was born and raised in Tucson, Arizona, growing up in and around the theatre from a young age. Being a 4th-generation IATSE stagehand and 3rd-generation member of Local 415, Ryan has been working in the industry for eight years and has been a member for seven. He specializes in carpentry, head video, fly rail, weight loading, and rigging, and is an assistant trainer in fly rail. He has been on the training committee for two years and has been on the referral committee for two years. He has also been working for the University of Arizona in their theatre for a year and a half.