Staging Guide

SAM 555 Mobile Stage, Courtesy of PGP

Staging for events and festivals can come in several different forms, but the vast majority will use either (click on the links below to jump to each section):

 

Staging can be used for more than just performers, speakers, or other forms of entertainment; sometimes there will be a need to have a level floor in order to do kitchen prep, catering, or other work that can’t be done without a level, clear ground.   There are a few options specifically designed for this sort of need.

Most stages will also require a roof – be it for shade, to hang lighting, sound, or video, and/or for signage.   There are various roofing options but the main thing to consider is how safe the roof needs to be given the environment it will be in; most roofs will need to be inspected by local authorities and/or signed off by a third party engineering firm before your event or festival can use them. Some stage and roof systems will come with their engineering drawings already approved, but an inspection will still be mandatory to ensure they were constructed properly onsite.  

Some stages may also need risers, be it a drum riser, a choir riser, or for other needs.  Drum risers, for example, are usually 8′ wide x 8′ deep x 1′ or 2′ tall.   For festival sets with multiple bands, it’s often necessary to have these risers on casters so they can roll easily.  This helps ensure a quick and efficient set change.  

Cowboy Mouth utilizes an 8×8 rolling riser not in the usual upstage position but downstage close to the crowd.

Aside from the main performance area of the stage, it’s often necessary to have stage wings added on to support the needs of the artist(s) and the production companies handling the audio, lighting, and video.   In most setups, the stage left wing will be for monitor world, and the stage right wing is for either a guitar world, dimmer beach, or video world.   For festivals that have multiple bands playing, the wing space is essential to stage the bands’ gear so quick set changes can be achieved. Some events will allow VIPs to access part of the stage, and it’s always a good idea to barricade off that section and ensure they have a separate entry and exit.  

A stage left wing with monitor world and drum risers for various bands playing that day, ready to be moved to the stage.  Note the truck ramp that allows road cases to be rolled up and down easily.

Another option to consider is building a loading dock behind or to the side of the stage, for easy access by vehicles to drop off and pick up gear.  Larger stages will need to ensure their loading docks can handle one or multiple 53′ semi trailers if the artist and/or production companies are bringing their gear in semis.  

Related to staging or flooring needs is ground protection.   Some site builds will require having proper ground protection so that heavy machinery can properly drive on the grounds without damaging it.   

Below are breakdowns for each kind:

• Modular stage decks / panels:
  • Wooden with a metal frame –  these are the most common for virtually every stage build with the exception of mobile stages, which come with a stage floor built-in. However, modular decks may be used to extend the mobile stage dimensions and/or add wings. They often come in 4′ x 4′ sections.   
    
    A popular manufacturer of this kind of staging is Bil-Jax. They can often be rented by local audio or party (tent, table, chair) vendors.
    
    
  • Aluminum frame deck – these are sturdier than the wooden decks and are more durable.  They often come in 4′ wide by 8′ deep sections.  These are often used in outdoor applications and/or events that call for a higher quality look & feel.  You can choose from multiple surfaces – all aluminum, plywood, or special rigid plastics.  
    
    A popular manufacturer of this kind of staging is StageRight.   These or similar makes can usually be rented by larger stage vendors.  
    
    
• Mobile Stages – these kinds of stages are well known for their ability to be built quickly, easily, and provide excellent stability in the face of inclement weather.  These are quickly becoming the staging of choice for events and festivals of all sizes.  
  
  

  View Mobile Stage Grid as a PDF

  	Name	Dimensions	Wind Resistance*	Stated Rigging Capacity**	Build Time / Crew Needs	Notes	Offered By
  	S Stage	14’6″ x 12’4″‘			15 minutes, 1 person	Roof height of 14′ 6″
  	SL 50	20′ x 16′, up to 36′ x 20′	80 mph w/o windwalls; 60 mph w/ windwalls	2,500 lb	30 minutes, 2 people
  	FrontRow 4300 Mobile Bandstand Stages	20′ x 16′, up to 20′ x 20′	65 mph w/o windwalls; 45 mph w/ windwalls	4500 lbs	30 minutes, 1 person	13′ 1″ Canopy trim height; speaker hanger capacity of 800 lbs each	Century Industries
  	Apex 2016	20′ x 16′		3,400 lb	30 to 60 minutes, 2 people	12’10” trim height (stage floor to lowest hanging point)	Stagepro
  	L- Stage	20′ x 22′			30 minutes, 1 person	Roof height of 15′ Data Sheet
  	SL 100	24′ x 20′, up to 40′ x 32′	80 mph w/o windwalls, 60 mph w/ windwalls	6,500 lb	30 minutes, 2 people		Miller Pro Audio, PGP, Stageline / MSR
  	Apex 2420	24′ x 20′		11,500 lbs	30 to 60 minutes, 2 people	13′ trim height (stage floor to lowest hanging point)
  	SL 100 Mix	24′ x 20′	80 mph w/o windwalls, 60 mph w/ windwalls	6,500 lb	90 minutes, 2 people	Can hold up to 4 follow spots from 18′
  	FrontRow 4500 Series	24′ x 23.8′ up to 40′ x 23.8′	85 mph w/o windwalls, 60 mph with flybays and windwalls	4,000 lb	20-30 minutes, 2 people	Canopy trim height – 15′ to 12′ 7″; speaker hangers can hold 1000 lb each	Century Industries
  	XL Stage	26′ x 20′			30 minutes, 1 person	Roof height of 20′ 8″ Data Sheet
  	XLR Stage	30′ x 20′			30 minutes, 1 person	The only production round roof stage in the world Roof height of 17′ 9″ Data Sheet
  	SL 260	32′ x 24′ or 32′ x 32′, up to 56′ x 32′	90 mph w/o windwalls, 60 mph w/ windwalls	18,500 lb	60 minutes, 2 people	Has a covered wing option of 12′ x 20′ each; older version of this is the SL 250	Miller Pro Audio, Stageline / MSR
  	Apex 3224	32′ x 24′		8,000 lbs	30 to 60 minutes, 2 people		Stagepro
  	XXL Stage	33′ x 20′			40 minutes, 1 person	Can fly 2k of audio per side on the wings Roof height of 20′ 8″ Data Sheet
  	ShowMaster Sound Shell MSM3000 Series	32′ x 14′ or 36′ x 14′		none	1 person	Can fly lights on optional light bars	Century Industries
  	SL 320	40′ x 40′, up to 72′ x 40′	90 mph w/o windwalls, 60 mph w/ windwalls	26,000 lb	2 hours 30 minutes, 4 people	Trim height of 22′ – 25′	Miller Pro Audio, PGP, Stageline / MSR
  	FrontRow 6000 Series	32′ x 23.3′ up to 40′ x 23.3′	85 mph w/o windwalls, 60 mph w/ windwalls	19,000 lb	30-45 minutes, 2 people	Canopy height 17.6 ft to 20.2 ft; speaker hangers can hold 2500 lb each	Century Industries
  	SAM 555	50′ x 38′, up to 90′ x 56′	90 mph w/o windwalls, 60 mph w/ windwalls	58,000 lb	4 hours, 5 people	20′ x 32′ covered wing option; older version of this is the SAM 550; Trim height of 30′	PGP, Stageline / MSR
  	SAM 575	50′ x 38′, up to 90′ x 56′	90 mph w/o windwalls, 60 mph w/ windwalls	94,000 lb	4 hours, 5 people	20′ x 32′ covered wing option; Trim height of 30′-33′	Stageline / MSR
  	Apex 5040	50′ x 40′		32,000 lb		32’3″ trim height (stage floor to lowest hanging point)	Miller Pro Audio, Stagepro
  	SAM 750	70′ x 48′ or 56′, plus two covered wings 28′ x 48′ each	90 mph w/o windwalls, 60 mph w/ windwalls	152,000 lb	16 hours, 12 people	52′ trim height	Stageline / MSR

  * While structural failure may not occur until the stated wind speeds, virtually every High Wind Action Plan will require the stages secured and site evacuated at 40mph
  
  ** Please consult the manufacturer or an authorized sales representative for proper rigging capacities – these are just an overall estimate and should not be relied upon without confirmation from signed and stamped engineering drawings

• Scaffolding Stages – these kinds of stages are known for their stability and adaptability.  They are build using steel scaffolding with a wooden, metal, or tarp roof, and their sizes can range from 20′ wide to 80’+ wide. 
  
  For more information on these kinds of stages, you can visit ASAP or Upstage Center. 
  
  
  
  

• Aluminum Stages – these kinds of stages offer a nice clean look & feel using aluminum truss with canvas or tarp roofs.  They are available in multiple sizes and can normally withstand a good amount of wind load.   
  
  Some vendors that offer Tomcat staging include Miller Pro Audio and Crosswind Systems. 
  
  Below are some common sizes of Tomcat roofs. 
  
  

  	Size	More information
  	45′ x 45′	Spec Page
  	65′ x 45′	Spec Page

• Steel Stages – these heavy-duty stages are best for large scale festivals where the artists require a minimum stage width of 60′ and enough rigging capacity to handle most A-List acts’ requirements.  
  
  Below are some options of steel stages:
  

  	Name	Dimensions	Notes	Offered By:
  	PGP 6040	60′ wide x 40′ deep	Perspective View	PGP
  	PGP 6068	60′ wide x 68′ deep	Perspective View	PGP
  	PGP 8060	80′ wide x 60′ deep	Perspective View	PGP
  	Mountain Truss	80′ wide x 60′ deep	Capable of supporting 400,000 lbs	Mountain Productions

  
  
• Ground Protection – some events require that their grounds stay protected from heavy machinery or other vehicles; ground protection can also mean laying down specialized flooring for pedestrian traffic as well.  
  
  A global vendor for ground protection options, EPS, offers several different solutions.
  
  Below are some examples of ground protection:
  
  
  • Teraplas 
    
    
    
    
    
    
  • LD Aluminum panels
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
  • Plywood
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
• How to choose the right kind of stage for your event – you will want to consider the following factors:
  • Artist selection and their requirements – what is the minimum size stage they need?  How much rigging capacity will they need to hang their lights, video, and sound?  
  • General look and feel of the event – the steel stages can provide that big and bold look, but often a smaller mobile stage, when done up with banners and wings, can have virtually the same level of impact.
  • Weather / environmental concerns – most mobile stages are able to withstand a greater amount of wind than aluminum stages, something to keep in mind especially if you are going to be outdoors.
  • Labor costs / time to build and strike – mobile stages take less time to build, but are not as modular / scalable as the other stage options.