News and Notes from · Sapsis Rigging Inc. · Friday Nov 13, 2009
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Sapsis Rigging Returns to its Beginnings
Sapsis Rigging recently finished a renovation of Goodhart Hall at Bryn Mawr College. The renovation included converting the traditional proscenium stage into an open thrust style space, creating a new scene shop and a black box theatre. There are catwalks over the stage for lighting, masking and audio systems and the black box has movable gantry style catwalks that allow for lighting positions over the entire performance area.
"This was a fascinating project for me" notes Sapsis Rigging president Bill Sapsis. "The very first rigging project Sapsis Rigging did was here in Goodhart Hall in 1981."
Michael Sapsis, the SRI supervisor on the original installation remembers, "We installed two motorized 65' tall double sided curtains in the auditorium to allow for smaller, more intimate productions. It was murder drilling into that poured concrete arch. Those curtains are long gone. but I did notice that the winch brackets are still bolted to the walls. I was none too happy with Bill because he spent almost the entire period in Taiwan on another project."
Over the years Sapsis Rigging conducted numerous inspections of the counterweight system, ran two partial renovations and installed a dimming and control system in 1984 that had been purchased for the college by alumnus, Katherine Hepburn. "I'm proud to have been a part of the evolution of the space", Bill continued. "It has culminated in a venue that meets modern day performance requirements with ease and efficiency. I'd be lying, however, if I said I wasn't looking forward to the next renovation, but I suspect I'll be retired long before that happens"
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Come See Us at LDI
For the first time in over 15 years, Sapsis Rigging will be showing gear at LDI. To find out what's new in the ProPlus™ line of Fall Protection gear and get an up-close look at the SRI Focus Track System™ please stop by Booth 443. We'll be hanging out with the good folks at James Thomas Engineering.
See the Sapsis Rigging full line of Fall Arrest Gear.
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Paul Sapsis Runs Away and Joins the Circus
Paul Sapsis hasn't exactly left SRI, but he has gotten about
as far away from it and still physically be on the planet. Paul has taken the Lead Show Rigging
position with the Dragone Organization at the City of Dreams complex in Macau,
China. Paul left in the middle of
September '09 fashion season, much
to his father Michael's dismay. He is
expected to remain in Macau for at least a year.
Paul is running the crew directly associated with the
show. He is also responsible for
all rigging load-in details, safety / rescue details and oversight, and anything else they can throw at him, including automation.
The show is tentatively scheduled to open in April, with the
world's largest show tank, enough high speed winches to make any tech's head
spin and some of the most advanced automation on the planet. As the acts get more and more
complicated, the rigging challenges follow suit.
Paul, best of luck.
We know you'll "kill" them while you are there.
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Technicians Bare All (Mostly) for Behind the Scenes Program
 Members of the Stagecraft Mailing list, an Internet group of theatre technicians, are pictured in a new 16-month calendar that takes its cue from the famous Maple Glen Farmers calendars of years gone by. Proceeds from the sale of the calendar will benefit the Behind the Scenes program, an initiative of The ESTA Foundation that provides support to entertainment technology industry professionals who are seriously ill or injured.
Paul Schreiner and Kelly Robertson came up with the idea for the calendar. A quick post to the Stagecraft Mailing List produced not only a host of willing models but also a photographer, Greg Williams. The initial photo shoot at USITT in Cincinnati along with subsequent sessions resulted in a whimsical 16-month calendar of technicians posed in front of scenic backdrops and various places backstage.
Paul calls the calendar, "A fitting testament to (and cautionary statement about) what trouble one can get into when one accepts an instant-messaging dare late at night."
Greg admits that the idea of using slightly risqué or suggestive calendars to raise funds for a worthy cause is certainly not new. However, "This may well be the first time that so many people who are used to being clothed in all black and unseen in the shadows actually stepped into the light and posed for one of these things."
The calendar is published by Greg Williams and Alice Neff and sponsored by eventsbum.com, Fisher Theatrical, lightplotdeconstructed.com, USITT Chesapeake Section, Sapsis Rigging, Stageworks Lighting Ltd., positivecontrast.com, and pitzermedia.com.
Calendars may be purchased by visiting www.estafoundation.org/bts/calendar or calling 212-244-1421.
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