In theaters, a batten (also known as a ''bar'' or ''pipe'') is a long metal

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suspended above the stage or audience from which lighting fixtures,

theatrical scenery Theatrical scenery is that which is used as a setting for a theatrical production. Scenery may be just about anything, from a single chair to an elaborately re-created street, no matter how large or how small, whether the item was custom-made or ...

, and theater drapes and stage curtains may be hung. Battens that are located above a stage can usually be lowered to the stage (flown in) or raised into a fly tower above the stage (flown out) by a

fly system A fly system, or theatrical rigging system, is a system of rope lines, blocks (pulleys), counterweights and related devices within a theater (structure), theater that enables a stage crew to fly (hoist) quickly, quietly and safely components suc ...

Types

Electric

An ''electric'' is a batten that incorporates electrical cables above the pipe, often enclosed in a raceway. It typically has

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s for lights and

DMX512 DMX512 is a standard for digital communication networks that are commonly used to control lighting and effects. It was originally intended as a standardized method for controlling stage lighting dimmers, which, prior to DMX512, had employe ...

data cable for lighting control, and may also have audio cables for microphones. The cables emerge from one end of the batten and continue through a

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to dimmers, control boards, or patchbays. All cable plugs have identifying 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. Electrics will often employ large loops of

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that extend outward to prevent adjacent battens from colliding with and damaging the lighting instruments. Electrics generally have an established ''trim height'' (a reference for standard height) so that focusing is consistent. In some theaters, especially where battens are close together, a heat-resistant fabric is attached to the front of the electric to prevent heat from the lighting instruments from damaging nearby flown objects.

Drapery

A drapery pipe may support

front curtain A front curtain, also known as a (front-of-)house curtain, act curtain, grand drape, main curtain or drape, proscenium curtain, or main rag is the stage curtain or curtains at the very front of a theatrical stage, separating it from the house. ...

s (such as

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), tormentor legs, borders, or tabs. Stage-width drapes can be very heavy, weighing hundreds of pounds, especially the front curtain. Legs or borders are usually lighter as they may use less fabric and are not usually very thick and sewn without fullness.

Clouds

Many theaters have built in shells designed to reflect sound produced on stage back into the audience. These shells often include large folding panels which can be flown in.

Set

Elements of the set which are relatively flat or light can be flown in on battens.

Storage

Some theatres use spare battens to store unneeded scenery or lighting instruments. This practice is generally discouraged due to the hazard created by overhead storage.

References

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Batten (Theater) Fly system