University of Mary Washington

Klein Theatre

IA Stage installed its first SkyDeck™2 system at the Klein Theatre, part of the theater program at the University of Mary Washington.

The live load capacity of the grid at Klein Theatre is increased to 40lbs per square foot and dead load is increased to 8lbs per square foot, compared to the standard SkyDeck™ system which has a live load of 20lbs per square foot and dead load of 5lbs per square foot. SkyDeck™2 is a catwalk grade tension wire grid system that is at least 5lbs psf lighter than a standard channel wire grid.

Klein Theatre serves as the primary teaching “laboratory” for our technical theatre students. Since the installation of the SkyDeck tension wire grid, our student safety, experience, and learning has vastly improved. The ability to see who is on the grid easily and to communicate with them effectively has improved efficiency during load-in and strike. One faculty member may now easily manage a split crew onstage and on the tension wire grid over house.

The ability to focus the overwhelming majority of the front of house instruments without ladders is a tremendous safety improvement. The look and feel of the tension wire grid has received rave reviews from both students and patrons. This portion of our renovation has provided more positive change than we ever imagined it would.

– Brandon Prendergast, Production Advisor & Adjunct Faculty, Department of Theatre & Dance, University of Mary Washington