Rigging and Risk Management for Aerial Acrobatics, Circus and Dance

Name: Rigging and Risk Management for Aerial Acrobatics, Circus and Dance
Start: 2025-11-08T10:30:00-05:00
End: 2025-11-09T18:30:00-05:00
Location: 6452 Greene Street, Philadelphia, PA

Schedule

Sat, 08 Nov, 2025 at 10:30 am to Sun, 09 Nov, 2025 at 06:30 pm

UTC-05:00

Location

6452 Greene Street, Philadelphia, PA | Bala Cynwyd, PA

Saturday, November 8 – Sunday, November 9 @ 10:30am-6:30pm
This intensive hands-on, participatory workshop will focus on principles and practices of rigging and risk management for circus, acrobatic, and aerial dance performance. It is suitable for riggers, performers, coaches, studio/facility/theatre managers, and others involved in executing or overseeing aerial performance.
The workshop comprises a two-day program covering principles, theory and practices for many typical aerial performer rigging scenarios. The workshop will feature practical demonstrations using computerized load-cell
technology, and will provide access to an array of skills and techniques for safe and effective performance rigging. Topics to be explored include dynamic loads and forces (including shock loads with live performance demonstrations), strength and properties of materials and hardware (including destructive testing), design factors and determination of allowable loads, use of non-rated and invented apparatus, risk assessment and risk management, inspection and retirement protocols, emergency planning, manual performance rigging techniques using mechanical advantage and counterweight, touring considerations, and rigging math.
While we will touch on the basic principles underlying automated performer rigging systems, this is not an automation class and will not deal in any depth with specific systems, design, or operational considerations. The workshop will also address the provisions of the American National Standards for Performer Flying
(ANSI E-1.43 2016) and other relevant standards and guidelines. The workshop is led by experienced aerial rigger and trainer, Jonathan. ETCP Renewal Credits are available for participants with ETCP certification.
Jonathan S. Deull
For more than 45 years, Jonathan Deull has been a show business maid-of-all-work, serving as a producer, designer, stage manager, technical supervisor, rigger, and educator with theatrical and musical productions, circuses, and special events around the United States and internationally, including the Kennedy Center, The White House, the Smithsonian Institution, The Big Apple Circus, Omnium Circus, Cirque du Soleil, and touring Broadway shows. His work includes design and execution of rigging systems and productions in the USA and internationally. He is an ETCP Certified Rigger (Theatre), and an ETCP
Recognized Trainer. He serves as a voting member of the ESTA Rigging Working Group that formulates rigging standards for the entertainment industry, and as a founding Safety Committee Member for the American Circus Educators Association, where he helped lead the effort to develop guidelines and protocols for circus performance training programs and facilities.
This 2-day course is $600 per person. Spots are limited. Sorry, must commit to both days.