Backstage at play technology with Kees van Wijck
He has past event in the events for forty years, twenty-five of which he has past event with the Parktheater. In his own words, play technician Kees van Wijck now belongs to the 'old hands' but still enjoys the profession as much as when he started. "It's actually a whole big tinker box that you get to work with every day. Sets, lighting, the kind of offerings, there's just an awful lot of variety in it."
Parktheater 's play technology department employs fifteen permanent staff members, supplemented by a flexible shell of twenty. The team is a mix of experienced technicians and young talents who have just completed their studies. For the latter group it can be quite overwhelming, says Kees: "It's so big here and you work with a big team, so you have to be very careful not to get lost in the beginning." There is a strong connection to education. Every Monday morning, students from SintLucas' mbo training in thstagend event technology take practical classes at the Parktheater. With their own production Laughing Lizard, they get the chance to put what they have learned, under the guidance of a coach, into practice.
Play technology then and now
As technology is constantly evolving, Kees says a lot has changed in the field of thstageechnology over the years. "Until 1996, everything was manual. Since there were no mechanical theastagels yet, all suspended set pieces had to be balanced by counterweights so that they could be easily changed. Theaters also often worked with a number of 'living room sets' that could be prepared quickly and then played in." It was not until the 1970s that companies with large sets came to theaters.
Mechanization provided a great leap forward. "This of course also has to do with ARBO regulations, which are intended to protect people. For example, without a mechanical towing wall, the weight to be loaded should never exceed 75 kilograms." This is a typically Dutch rule, according to Kees, by the way. "If you look at the rest of the world, they are nowhere near that far. In America, almost everything is still done by hand." In recent years, technology has become increasingly complex. "Nowadays everything is connected with networks. You used to have a slider per lamp for 'louder' and 'softer.' Now we work with digital LED lighting and a lamp can have an infinite number of functions. The same goes for hoisting equipment: you tell the computer exactly where the tow should be and how fast it should go from A to B."
Parktheater was the first to introduce LED horizon lighting - a huge battery that colors the white backdrop. "It used to be 40,000 watts with four colors per unit. Now it's a digital device, all LED. The biggest challenge was to evenly light the 12-foot-high, 22-foot-wide canvas with one button per color. We designed that translation ourselves by putting a piece of software between them." This resulted in a system that became the standard in the rest of the Netherlands. "We are proud that we have past event a forerunner in that." All three halls are now fully prepared for digital lighting, according to Kees. Wishes for future renewal are also there. "We hope in a while to be able to purchase new chain hoists that we can integrate into the controls of the hoist."
The magic of theater
In addition to his technical expertise, Kees can also regularly be found in theaters. "I always enter through the main entrance because I want to get the full experience. For me, the power of theater is in the magic. You are all in a room together, the lights go out and we af that everything we are going to check is true. That moment, that shared experience, I find super fun." It is that experience that continues to excite him again and again. "I love seeing things that make you think. Theater has the unique power to surprise you and pull you into another world."
Close to the Parktheater
Parktheater opens its doors wide for everyone, for meeting, curiosity and connection. How do we do that? Our inspired employees tell you. Read the stories about social commitment, supporting young talent, backstage at Toneeltechniek and the future vision of director Giel Pastoor!
