DOMINGUEZ HILLS, CA – Rent What?, a rental drapery supplier, has outlined a few examples of how its clients have been able to adapt less-than-suitable venues and spaces to their needs using pipe and drape solutions. Partner Megan Duckett cites examples including an occasion when the Dalai Lama was visiting California, and the client needed to establish a peaceful setting for meditation within the Long Beach Convention Center.
More details from Rent What? (www.rentwhatinc.com):
DOMINGUEZ HILLS, CA – When you have short-term productions and road shows, the “perfect” venue or convention facility doesn’t really exist. Most require producers and suppliers to get creative, and their solutions will usually involve Pipe & Drape Systems because of their flexibility and adaptability.
According to Rent What? partner Megan Duckett, “Pipe & Drape is the ideal solution for facilities that don’t have their own drapery hanging supports, or the audience/performance spaces need to be modified for a particular production. This might include creating an intimate performance setting inside a large arena, or a ballroom in which the walls should be ‘dressed’ for a particular theme.”
As a rental drapery supplier, Rent What? Inc has a wide portfolio of Pipe & Drape applications. Remembers Duckett, “We were called upon some time back to create a peaceful meditation space within the Long Beach Convention Center when the Dalai Lama was appearing in California. We used white drapery panels to help create a serene environment within a setting that is typically far from that.”
“We’ve been called upon to provide Pipe & Drape rentals for anything from major trade shows to top name concert tours,” she added. “Pipe & Drape is a flexible, turn-key solution for modifying venues to fit the performance needs.”
Pipe & Drape systems, also called Pipe and Base systems, generally include a sturdy metal base and support framing (fixed or telescoping), along with velour masking drape panels of flame retardant cloth in a variety of colors, although the more commonly rented panels are in gray and black.
“We did a pops concert just a few months ago in a large convention center. With Pipe & Drape, we created the orchestra stage along with the audience areas and you’d never know that a trade show was taking place there the next day. Pipe and Drape allows the show organizers to break up an environment for special uses without making major and expensive venue modifications.”
Another frequent use of Pipe & Drape is in creating temporary “meet and greet” spaces for touring performers. Meet and greet spaces allow performers a private area to have photos taken, meet special guests or sign autographs.
Duckett says Pipe & Base systems are most frequently rented because of the short-term nature of traveling or temporary productions. In addition to renting, Rent What? customers have the option to purchase an optional damage waiver that takes the worry out of handling staging materials in the real world. It’s part of the customer-centric service that has become a trademark of Rent What? Inc.
Complete Pipe & Base systems can also be purchased from sister company and drapery manufacturer, Sew What? Inc. Pipe and Drape Kits come packed in wheeled carts for easy shipping and storage.
