Theater & Performing Arts Challenges We Solve
Every industry has unique requirements. Here's how Show Tech addresses the specific challenges of theater & performing arts LED production.
Scenic Design Integration
LED isn't just a backdrop—it's scenic element. Walls must integrate with set pieces, soft goods, and projection seamlessly. Wrong specifications create visible seams, mismatched blacks, and video that fights the lighting design instead of supporting it.
Fly System & Rigging Compatibility
Broadway houses have counterweight fly systems with specific load limits per lineset. Regional theaters may have hemp or limited motorized systems. Your LED spec must work with what the venue can actually fly—not just what looks good on paper.
Historic Venue Power Constraints
Many theaters are century-old buildings with electrical infrastructure designed for incandescent lighting, not modern LED walls. A 400A service shared with the entire building means planning around severe power limitations.
Repertory Programming Demands
Regional theaters run 8-12 productions per season. LED infrastructure must serve a Shakespeare play, a musical, and a contemporary drama without complete reconfiguration for each production's video design.
Purpose-Built Solutions
Scenic-First Specifications
Calculate non-rectangular configurations, curved surfaces, and scenic cutouts. Support video designers creating LED elements that integrate with the full production design vision.
Venue Constraint Planning
Factor in real-world limitations: lineset weight capacities, power service sizes, and venue-specific infrastructure. Know before you quote whether the design is actually achievable.
Touring Production Documentation
Generate specifications that translate across the 40-city tour. Account for venue variations from 800-seat regional houses to 2,500-seat touring venues.
Repertory Flexibility Analysis
Design systems that serve multiple productions. Evaluate configurations that work for your season's most demanding and simplest shows without over-building or under-serving.
Common Use Cases
- Broadway and West End production video design packages
- Regional theater LED backdrop and scenic element planning
- Opera and ballet scenic video integration with projection
- Touring theatrical production specifications for variable venues
- Immersive and site-specific theatrical installations
- Concert presentations in theatrical venues (symphony, dance)
“We designed three Broadway shows using Show Tech. The rigging calculations were essential—we caught a weight issue that would have killed our center-hung piece before we ever got to load-in.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Show Tech handle non-rectangular LED configurations?
Yes. Theatrical video often requires irregular shapes—curved cycs, scenic cutouts, fragmented arrays. Our calculator supports custom pixel dimensions and non-standard aspect ratios. Define your creative shape and get accurate processing, power, and weight calculations.
How do I plan for repertory use across multiple productions?
Design for your most demanding production (typically the contemporary piece with full video design), then validate that simpler shows work within that infrastructure. We help you find the sweet spot—enough capability without over-building for shows that only need basic backgrounds.
Does Show Tech integrate with theatrical production workflows?
Our documentation speaks theatrical language. Power calculations use theatrical distribution conventions (company switches, road boxes). Rigging specs include point loads for fly system integration. PDFs are formatted for production managers and technical directors.
What about LED floors and non-traditional placements?
LED floors require specific panel ratings (load capacity, viewing angle for steep camera angles) and additional processing considerations. We include floor-rated panels in our database and calculate the different requirements for walkable surfaces.
How do I handle 100-year-old venue electrical infrastructure?
Historic venues often have 200-400A total service shared with house systems. Our power calculations show exactly what you need, so you can plan tie-ins to available circuits or spec portable distro to supplement venue infrastructure.
Can I spec for both Broadway origination and touring?
Yes. Many productions open on Broadway then tour nationally or internationally. We help you design the original installation while documenting what adapts for 800-seat regional houses versus 2,500-seat touring venues—including how rigging and power requirements change.