Modularly configurable staging system and method

A method for rapid changeover of performance stage staging scenes, comprising:

• selecting from an inventory of preconfigured staging modules a first plurality of preconfigured staging modules combinable to create a first staging scene;
• selecting from the inventory of preconfigured staging modules a second plurality of preconfigured staging modules combinable to create at least a second staging scene;
• selecting from the inventory of preconfigured staging modules at least a third plurality of preconfigured staging modules combinable to create at least a third staging scene;
• providing an overhead hoist grid above at least a portion of a stage area, the overhead hoist grid comprising an array of fixed hoist points having lifting elements including power and communication connections;
• installing the first staging scene, comprising:
• connecting the first plurality of preconfigured staging modules to the lifting elements of a first plurality of selected fixed hoist points in said array of fixed hoist points, said connecting including lifting connections, power connections and communication connections, and
• lifting the first plurality of preconfigured staging modules using said first plurality of selected fixed hoist points to create said first staging scene;
• and
• changing the staging scene and installing the second staging scene, comprising:
• lowering preconfigured staging modules previously lifted with the overhead hoist grid onto dollies,
• disconnecting lowered preconfigured staging modules from lifting elements of the first plurality of selected fixed hoist points;
• connecting the second plurality of preconfigured staging modules to the lifting elements of a second plurality of selected fixed hoist points in said array of fixed hoist points, said connecting including lifting connections, power connections and communication connections, and
• lifting the second plurality of preconfigured staging modules using said second plurality of selected fixed hoist points within the array of fixed hoist points of the overhead hoist grid to create the second or a subsequent staging scene;
• and
• changing the staging scene and installing the third or a subsequent staging scene, comprising:
• lowering preconfigured staging modules previously lifted with the overhead hoist grid onto dollies,
• disconnecting lowered preconfigured staging modules from lifting elements of the second or a subsequent plurality of selected fixed hoist points;
• connecting the third plurality of preconfigured staging modules to the lifting elements of a third or subsequent plurality of selected fixed hoist points in said array of fixed hoist points, said connecting including lifting connections, power connections and communication connections, and
• lifting the third or a subsequent plurality of preconfigured staging modules using the third or subsequent plurality of selected fixed hoist points to create the third or a subsequent staging scene;
• wherein at least one of the first, second or third plurality of selected fixed hoist points comprises (i) a unique set selected of hoist points, and (ii) utilizes less than all fixed hoist points in the array of fixed hoist points.