Theatrical Rigging and Counterweight Fly Systems Training | Ottawa, ON
August 11 - 12, 2026
PRE-CONFERENCE WORKSHOP
Theatrical Rigging and Counterweight Fly Systems
2-Day hands-on course with a mix of lectures and practical work.
August 11 & 12, 2026
8 AM - 5 PM on both days
FRANÇAIS - Veuillez noter : Ce cours sera donné en anglais exclusivement. Les détails ci-dessous sont aussi en anglais uniquement. Pour toutes questions, n'hésitez pas à contacter le bureau national, il nous fera plaisir de vous répondre en français.
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About the course
This course is an intro to stage rigging, taking place in both a classroom and theatre setting, focusing on counterweight systems. Topics will include basic rigging theory, rigging hardware, knot tying, wire rope terminations, loading weight, and hanging scenery. Also covered: spot lines, arbor assist devices, trick releases, and hanging chain motors for touring shows, rigging inspection requirements, procedures, and reports.
After completion of the course, attendees will be given a certificate issued by JOEL Theatrical Rigging.
The course is not ETCP certified, however, the course can go towards education credits for certified technicians. The course will provide 0.5 credits per hour of training. Each certified technician can report their individual attendance using this form: https://etcp.wufoo.com/forms/etcp-individual-education-credit-submission-form/
Capacity: 18 participants. If the course is full, you can add your name to the waitlist. If a spot opens up, we will fill it according to the order in which names were added to the list.
Instructors: Joe Henning, Wes Jenkins.
Lunch: Lunch will be provided.
NOTE: The regular value of this course is more than twice the listed registration price. This discounted rate is made possible thanks to our partnerships with NAC, JOEL Theatrical Rigging, and Wes Jenkins from Down Stage Right Industries.
Location for Day 1: uOttawa - LabO Building
10 Av. Daly, Ottawa, ON K1N 0C6 - Google Maps
Location for Day 2: National Arts Centre - Southam Hall
1 Elgin St, Ottawa, ON K1P 5W1 - Google Maps
DAY 1 Outline Details:
All tools provided by JOEL Theatrical Rigging.
Basic Rigging Theory
• Roles and responsibilities
• The four K’s of rigging
• Design factors
Knot Tying
• Types of rope used in rigging
• Types of knots
• 5 knots every stagehand should know
Rigging Hardware
• Nuts & bolts
• Connecting devices – shackles, eye bolts, turnbuckles
• Chain
• Wire rope & termination hardware Wire Rope & Terminations - Practical
• Wire rope clips
• Swage fittings
DAY 2 Outline Details:
Steel toed boots are mandatory. All other PPE (i.e. hard hats) will be provided but participants can bring their own. Participants are also encouraged to bring work gloves.
Counterweight Rigging Systems
• Single purchase counterweight line sets
• Double purchase counterweight line sets
• Line set operation – loading weight, electrics, soft goods, hard scenery
• Drapery weight calculation
Single Purchase Line Set Operation
• Pull a line set
• Load a weight
• Move a drape
• Fold a drape & west coast a drop or scrim
Special Conditions
• Deading off a line set
• Arbour assist options
• Drapery hardware
• Tricks & releases
• Motor points in a theatre Logbooks and Inspections
• Requirements
• Daily & annual inspections
• Logbook
About the Instructors
Joe Henning
Joe started his career as a stagehand, flyman and rigger before becoming Technical Supervisor at the Oakville Centre. He was actively involved in the Ontario Presents Network Technical Directors Group. He was a member of the design team for the Burlington Performing Arts Centre and then became the Operations Manager. In 2018 he became Director of Operations at The Centre in the Square in Kitchener. He taught Entertainment Rigging at Sheridan College from 2011 through 2018. Joe is now semi-retired, working with JOEL Theatrical Rigging doing Inspections, training, and site supervision.
Wes Jenkins
Theatrical Consultant, Down Stage Right Industries Ltd.
Wes has literally been behind the scenes in the entertainment industry for over 40 years. Supporting and enabling art and artists is what he does across Canada, into the United States and as far as China. Starting at the Banff Centre as a design student, he has moved on to work in theatres across Canada, including at the Citadel Theatre, Arts Commons and the Jubilee Auditorium. As a theatrical consultant, he has inspected and is working on projects from coast to coast. He is a world traveller and an accomplished cook.
This course is made possible through a joint collaboration and partnerships with JOEL Theatrical Rigging, the National Arts Centre, and Wes Jenkins with Down Stage Right Industries.
Price
Option 1 - Training Only: 600$ plus HST
Option 2 - Bundle (Training + Full Conference Pass): 750$ plus HST (guaranteed reduced price on full conference pass)
Only payments via e-commerce (debit/credit cards) are accepted. View payment instructions
CITT/ICTS Members:
Please log in to your account before starting the registration process to link this purchase to your account.
Payment instructions:
All fees are subject to 13% HST.
Only payments via e-commerce are accepted. Payments can be made by Credit/Debit Cards: We accept VISA, VISA Debit, MasterCard and Interac Online. We do not accept American Express and Discover cards.
If you are unable to use these payment methods, please contact us to make another payment arrangement.
Refund and Cancellation Policy:
Only cancellation requests due to health reasons will be accepted for Rendez-vous 2026 Full Conference Passes, Day Passes, and Pre-Conference Workshops. Requests will be accepted until midnight EDT on August 10, 2026. Refunds may take up to 30 days to process and a 25$ fee may apply. Please contact us for a cancellation request. Note that other than this one exception, event registration fees are non-refundable, please see our Refund & Cancellation Policies for more details.
Join us at Rendez-vous 2026!
Held in a different Canadian city each year, Rendez-vous brings together emerging and established professionals from across the live performance and events industry for four dynamic days of professional development, networking, and collaboration. The event fosters a welcoming, hands-on learning environment where ideas are exchanged, connections are made, and careers are inspired.
The main program features a wide range of training workshops, educational sessions, roundtables, and panels covering key aspects of live performance production.
The 2026 edition will be held August 12 to 14 in Ottawa, ON. Learn more about CITT/ICTS Annual Conference.