Rigging
Rigging is a part of the physical structure of a theatre which supports or manipulates aerial scenery, lighting gear, or sound gear. This may include counterweight or "hemphouse" (e.g. sandbags & rope) manual flyrail systems, motorized winch systems, deadhung (permanently suspended) items, mainly drapery tracks, or gear suspended from trusswork which is then raised aloft by mechanical hoists or winch systems. In this context, the term "rigging" is also used to identify the hardware which supports aerial lighting and sound equipment in a concert setting, e.g. "arena rigging."
Manual Flyrails are systems consisting of ropes, steel or sand counterweights, steel cables, blocks or pulleys, and pipes, whereby a system operator or Flyman raises and lowers scenic elements or lighting gear above the stage space.
The term "rigging" is also used as a verb, to describe the physical act of hanging lights, sound, or scenery in a theatrical space or concert arena, i.e. "they're rigging fifty-six motor points from the grid for this show."