Batten (theater): Difference between revisions

{{UnreferencedRefimprove|date=OctoberApril 20062011}}

[[ImageFile:BattenWithTwoInstruments.PNG|frame|right|A simple Electric batten with two instruments (a [[Source Four PAR|Source Four PAR]] and a [[Scoop (theater)|scoop]]).]]

In [[theater (structure)|theaters]], a '''batten''' (also known as a ''bar'' or ''pipe'') refers tois a long metal pole[[pipe (fluid conveyance)|pipe]] suspended above the [[stage (theatre)|stage]] or the audience from which [[Stage lighting instrument|lighting fixture]]s, [[theatrical scenery]], and [[tabstheater (stage)|tabs]]drapes orand otherstage curtains]] may be hung. UsuallyBattens thesethat battensare located above a stage can usually be lowered to the stage (flown in) or raised into a [[fly tower]] above the stage (flown out) usingby a counterweighted [[fly system]] or automated, motor driven lift.

[[ImageFile:Theater electric batten.jpg|thumb|right|A view of an electric batten with scoops, fresnels, [[Source Four PARNel|PARNel]]s, [[Ellipsoidal reflector spotlight|elipsoidal]]s and a [[Source Four]] ]]

An ''electric'' is a batten withthat cablesincorporates runelectrical cables above the pipe, usuallyoften enclosed in a raceway. It generallytypically has plugs[[power cable]]s for lights, and [[DMX512-A|DMX]] data cable for lighting control, orand may also have audio builtcables infor whichmicrophones. The cables emerge from one end of the batten and continue through a [[snake (electrical)|snake]] to dimmers, control boards, or patchbays. TheAll cable plugs have indentifyingidentifying numbers printed on them so that they can be easily referenced by the lighting control system. Loaded electrics are among the heaviest types of battens, often weighing more than a thousand pounds. As such, it is very important to keep them in proper balance as severe strain can result on the fly system's brake and the counterweight ropes.

OftenElectrics theywill haveoften employ large loops of [[spring steel]] extendingthat toextend eachoutward sideto so thatprevent otheradjacent battens whichfrom arecolliding swingingwith doand not damagedamaging the lighting instruments. Electrics generally have an established ''trim height'' (a reference for standard height) so that focusing is consistent.{{clarify|date=May 2012}} In some theaters, especially where battens are close together, a heat -resistant fabric is attached into the front of the electric to prevent heat from the lighting instruments from damaging nearby flown itemsobjects.

A drapery pipe carriesmay support [[front curtain]]s (such as [[traveler curtain|travelers]]), tormentor legs, borders, or tabs. FullStage-stagewidth drapes can be very heavy, weighing hundreds of pounds, especially the grandfront drapecurtain. Legs or borders however,are canusually be comparably lightlighter as they may use less fabric and are not usually very thick and sewn without [[gather (sewing)|fullness]].

==AlternativesSee also==