Show dictionary · Rigging & Staging
Catwalk
A catwalk is a narrow elevated walkway built into a venue above the stage or auditorium, giving crew access to lighting positions, rigging, and followspots without ladders or lifts. Arenas, theatres, and convention centers all hide networks of them.
In practice
Catwalks turn overhead work from an event into a walk: focusing front light, running cable, and spotting shows happen from them nightly. Venue tech specs document catwalk positions because they define what can be hung and focused without bringing in access equipment.
They are also controlled space: fall protection rules, capacity limits, and no-loose-items discipline apply, since everything below is audience or stage. Whatever goes up on a catwalk gets tethered, pocketed, or clipped.
How you’ll hear it
"Spots are on the second catwalk tonight; ops walk up at half hour with belts and radios."
Related resources
Part of the eventools.io Show Dictionary, a free glossary of live event production terminology.