Pardon our dust in 2012
The Idaho Repertory Theatre will sit out this summer while needed life-safety improvements are made to the University of Idaho Hartung Theater. IRT is committed to supplying its patrons with a clear plan as to how these improvements will be made and on what timeline. Though the IRT season will be on hiatus for the eight-week duration of the improvements, IRT plans to mount a small production in mid-August 2012 as a fundraiser and to unveil its summer 2013 season.
Any further questions, please email UI Theatre.
Why does this work need to be done?
The Hartung was completed in 1973. At the time, manufacturing and engineering standards for theatrical rigging components were different than the current industry and OSHA safety standards. It is important to note that while annual maintenance has been conducted and is ongoing, the mechanical stage rigging system has reached and exceeded its 30-year replacement threshold.
What is the scope of the project?
The Hartung stage rigging system (aka “rigging”) is the primary mechanical substructure of a functioning theatrical space. It is the method by which, lighting, curtains, electrical cables and scenery are hung ("rigged") and moved ("flown"). It is composed of operating ropes, rope locks, tension wheels, pulleys, metal cable, support pipes ("battens"), counter weights and the carriers for those weights ("arbors"). As many of these parts are made from cast iron, they are less structural than their contemporary steel counterparts and should be replaced. Furthermore, the average lifetime for a ¼” steel cable is thirty years before recommended replacement. Finally, the terminations of where the steel cable meets both the arbors and the battens is of an older standard and, while safe, should be upgraded to ensure the safety of this important educational and cultural facility. The scope of the project is to replace all the cast iron parts, replace the steel running lines and upgrade the steel cable terminations at the arbor and at the battens.
What is the duration and cost of this project?
It is estimated this project will take eight weeks and cost $50,000.
Who is paying for the project?
The University of Idaho College of Letters, Arts, and Social Sciences.
Who will do the work?
The work will be conducted by students trained and certified by Jay O. Glerum & Associates of Seattle, Wash. These students will be supervised by Dean Panttaja, UI professor of design technology and management, and Robby Valliere, UI technical director who will also be getting re-certified under the same process.
Why is the work being conducted in the summer?
As primarily an academic facility, the summer is the most logical time to conduct this work, thus decreasing the impact on the education and training of student artists.
How will we know the system is safe?
Jay O. Glerum & Associates will inspect the upgrades to the Hartung rigging system and certify its compliance with current safety standards.