Back to Loeb Info
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Ex Parallel Riser
Inventory 2/10/03
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Ex Audience Seating
Riser Inventory |
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BASES
-numbers may vary based on random events in the universe
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Height
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Quantity
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1 foot
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maybe 3
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2 foot
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9
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3 foot
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14
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4 foot
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8
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LIDS
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4' x 8'
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22
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4' x 4'
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5
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3' x 8' seating risers
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8"
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8
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16"
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8
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24"
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8
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32"
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8
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Notes for Audience and Stage risers in the Loeb Ex
The audience risers for the experimental theatre were purchased in 1994. Before Michael Griggs brought about that change, the ex shows had to make up their audience seating using the folding ex parallels and lids, and they did that for 30+ years, imagine that! In order to best preserve the condition of the Ex Theatre stage and audience platforms, as well as facilitate their use, here are some how to's as well as do's and dont's, please read this, no if's and's or but's.
1. Inventory (see above): There are two basic types of risers, audience risers and stage risers. The differences are as follows-
Audience risers are 3' wide x 8' long in 8", 16”, 24”, and 32" heights with folding legs attached; this folding table type of platform is 3' wide and ideal for single row of seats, They store in the ex airlock, tight against the walls.
Stage risers (also known as Ex risers and Ex parallels) are made up of 2 parts- risers and lids. The risers are all 4' x 4' and come in 1’, 2’, 3’, and 4’ heights. Lids are made of 1” thick plywood so they can span the 4’ gap without additional bracing. Most lids are 4’x8’ with a few 4’x4’ lids available.
2. Rules and Regulations: The following is a list of rules for the use of each type of riser, with some helpful tips thrown in-
A. Audience Risers
- --Always store these risers in the corridor between the ex and the shop (the lower airlock) when not in use. They should be stacked in such a manner that a clear aisle through the corridor is maintained at all times. This is a fire exit.
- --Please stack them by size in the designated spots, and with the bottom side facing out for ease of identification.
- --These risers have been painted black and are not to be painted again. No exceptions. Try not to spill or splash paint on them when loading in your set. If there is an accident, touch them up with Black All-Floor paint
- --Please preserve this valuable equipment; don't modify, drill or screw into, or otherwise damage these risers without explicit permission Michael Griggs. Inform him if you find any damage to the risers.
- --Please use the clips on the risers to join rows together when possible; this ensures that single risers won't move when people walk on them.
- --Chair safety rails should be used whenever there is a risk of a chair being pushed off the back or side of a riser. Please use only minimal screws to attach chair rail. Always remove the chair rails after each use. Chair safety strips can be saved for future use. You can usually find some scrap in the shop to make more.
- --White gaff tape can be used to mark aisles, steps, or other areas where the audience should use caution. Carefully remove this tape after each use to avoid permanently damaging the riser. Get tape from the tool room or Michael Griggs.
- --Railings should be provided whenever audience risers are being stacked above 3'-0". Discuss this with Michael.
- --Bases can be used singly to support a 4' x 4' lid, or in pairs to support a 4'x 8' lid.
- --Lids are not to be cut down, drilled through, or otherwise modified. If you require platforms with special characteristics, you must buy your own plywood and make a special lid. Note: the stock lids are 1" plywood; you will probably need to buy 3/4" ply and then shim it up with extra pieces of 1/4" ply. You can purchase 1" plywood, but it is not cheap.
- --You should attach the lids to the risers by screwing up through the holes in the square feet, into the lid with 1" screws
- --Risers are 3'-10" square; this allows a 1" overhang of lid on all sides. When using two risers side-by-side, leave 2" space between them. Sometimes it is necessary to use blocks screwed into the floor to keep risers from shifting around.
- --The following diagram shows the correct orientation of riser and hardware. Variations can be used to get a slight (3/4") difference in the finished height of the riser; however, you must always have a foot, either square or round, in either end of the base. Otherwise the open pipe end will damage either the ply or the floor.
- --Risers can be stacked up to about 8 or 9’; however, due to the condition of the risers, it can take a long time to find sufficient risers that are not too dinged up to accept a connector pin.
- --Connector pins come in 1" and 2" thicknesses; keep these in mind when determining the finished height of your stacked risers.
- --The best way to remove stuck connector pins or feet is to use a short length of small diameter pipe (1/2" bottom pipe works well). This pipe can be inserted through the hollow leg of the base, and then hammered to knock the stuck connector or foot out the other side.
- --Never hammer on either the pipe end of the base or the connector pin directly; use a scrap block of wood to protect the metal. If these surfaces get dinged up they'll never fit together without lots of binding and friction. .
- --Lids can be painted, but must be returned to All-floor black upon completion; bases should not be painted (it gums up the joints).
- --Same rules as above with respect to chair rails, gaff tape, spike tape, and railings. All should be removed after each use. Acting areas don't need railings per se, but use some discretion about what the actors might have to do on a 5' or higher platform.
- --Risers and lids are to be returned to correct, labelled compartments on storage rack in the trap room after each use, unless the next show has requested them. In the lack of a clear request, all risers must be put away. Feet and connecting pins should be returned to the rolling bin which usually lives in the airlock, but sometimes may be in the trap room or the shop.
- --Each parallel should have a piece of tie-line permanently tied to one leg. This should be used to tie the legs of the closed base together so it cannot open up while in the rack. Never rack a base that isn't tied shut.
- --When the orchestra pit is accessible, it may be used to transport risers downstairs; otherwise they must be carried down the stairs in the ex lobby. Nothing is to be put into the trap room during a mainstage performance.
- --Damaged risers should be labelled as such and leaned against the wall at the end of the rack. Notify Michael of the HRDC tech liaison about broken risers. They are some of the oldest equipment in the building, about 40 years old and when they break down we just throw them away.
Riser notes and drawing by Steve O'Donnell, 24 October 1994, former ART stage supervisor:
The stock folding metal stairs (also known as the 'Opera Stairs') are typically stored under the mainstage seating wagons and are sometimes inaccesable:
