As the colder weather approaches, event production crews may find themselves with a little bit of free time. Whether you’re a rigger just getting started or an industry veteran, these five books are an excellent way to spend your time off the road.
1. Stage Rigging Handbook
By Jay O. Glerum
The Stage Rigging Handbook by Jay O. Glerum has become an industry staple. This go-to guide is to the point and provides an understanding of the rigging system, how to operate each type of rigging, and maintaining and inspecting your equipment.
Whether you read it cover-to-cover or keep it on site as a handy reference guide, this book is a must-have for individuals concerned with safe and proper rigging techniques.
2. Entertainment Rigging for the 21st Century
By Bill Sapsis
Entertainment Rigging for the 21st Century, edited by Bill Sapsis, makes for a great follow-up to the Stage Rigging Handbook. Taking into account the major changes our industry has seen in recent years, this book is great for recognizing the leaps and bounds of our modern trade and the technology and practices that have gotten us to this point.
3. Arena rigging:
A practical guide for riggers, designers, and managers
By Harry Donovan
Arena rigging is the first of Donovan’s books to be featured in our list of top five. This book is one of our favorites for its breakdown of everyday work skills and the easiest on-the-job solutions that make us all happy. It is geometry and engineering intensive, but focuses on real-world, practical applications for those involved with arena, theatre, coliseum and sound stage rigging, with applications across a number of other industries.
4. Entertainment Rigging
By Harry Donovan
Entertainment Rigging, also by Harry Donovan, consists of hundreds of drawings, pictures and tables, many industry rules of thumb and dozens of formulas that make it simple to gather all of the information a rigger needs to ensure a safe and successful event. This book was written after Arena Rigging and builds on the information from Donovan’s first publication. Combine this with RigRight software and you’ll be armed with all the information you need.
5. Rigging Math Made Simple
By Delbert L. Hall
Rigging Made Made Simple, developed by Delbert L. Hall of East Tennessee State University, is a great resource to those still working on understanding and using everyday rigging calculations. It is an especially great resource for those preparing for ETCP certification and provides helpful hints for remembering the information explained. Though this is more of a textbook and less of a novel, we find it is one of the best books for expanding our understanding of the complex world of entertainment rigging.
If there’s a book that has helped you advance in the entertainment rigging industry that we don’t have featured in our Top 5 list, please let us know!
