When orchestrating an outdoor festival or event, a significant consideration that can steer its success is the choice of stage. When you are in the planning phase, you should consider various factors like weather, location constraints, and the demands of performing acts to inform your decision on the type of stage to rent. The size of the stage is pivotal and should align with the number of people and expectations of both your talent and audience to facilitate a memorable and effective event.
Estimating Dimensions
Deciding on your stage size and type involves three key steps to avoid later complications:
- Consider audience size: The event’s appeal can be affected by the relative size of the stage to the audience. A smaller stage might appear less grand for large crowds, while a larger one may reflect poor attendance if the audience is tiny.
- Engage with performers: For festivals featuring multiple bands or events with multiple speakers, consult the main act for technical requirements and stage plots indicated in their rider, or connect with their production managers for insights.
- Keep sponsors in mind: Acknowledge sponsors’ needs for visibility, which could necessitate a larger stage to accommodate branding and banners.
Choosing a Type
Recognizing the right stage type is crucial, and there are three main varieties each suited to different circumstances, costs, and purposes—such as:
- Load-bearing rooftops: These motorized, aluminum structures work well for high-profile events and offer the flexibility for video walls, large banners, and specialty lighting. These stages’ load-bearing rooftops can be more cost-effective for prolonged rentals.
- Mobile stages: Perfect for ease of setup and short-duration events, these stages can accommodate a more significant load for lighting and public address systems but are less versatile for varied ground conditions.
- Shade rooftops: Ideal for economical, multiday events with a need for customization, these work well on delicate surfaces but offer limited support for heavy audio equipment and lighting.
Assuring Safety
Remember the most important thing: safety. Make sure to use a professional staging company to avoid serious pitfalls. Trained staging and production professionals are adept with the necessary protocols to ensure a smooth event flow, regardless of what circumstance throws your way.
