As a result of PRG's recent merger with VLPS Lighting Services, Bill Klages, the event's lighting designer, was able to obtain all of the lights needed for the event from PRG. Staging and scenic elements provided by PRG included: The main stage and stairs used during the first three days of the event. This stage included a motorized slip stage and hydraulic lift for raising and lowering speaker platforms. Both the slip stage and lift were controlled by Stage Command, PRG's patented scenic automation system.
An entertainment lift that raised and lowered the variety of artists performing during the event, from rock groups to a 50-person Gospel choir. This was 30ft in diameter, had a low height of 3ft 6" and a maximum height of 15ft, and could lift a maximum of 15,000lbs at a rate of 30ft per minute. All of the lift's movements were controlled by Stage Command.
Automation of the LED walls included in the set, each of which weighed over 1,000 pounds and was hung from a traveller track built and motorized by PRG. Using Stage Command, PRG was able to make these walls 'travel' and 'fly' across the set at rates up to three feet per second.
(Sarah Rushton-Read)
