Catwalk (theater)

In theater, catwalk is an elevated service platform close to the ceiling from which lighting and other technical equipment may be manipulated.

This is used because the lights are generally very expensive and heavy, but mainly to protect the audience members and performers from the possibility of fixtures falling down from the catwalks.

A typical catwalk has a built in electrical conduit to carry power for the lighting fixtures from the dimmers.

This also prevents objects from falling into a place where they cannot be retrieved, such as between the catwalk floor and the ceiling, or into an HVAC vent.

Because of this, sometimes it is necessary for people working on them to wear fall arrest to satisfy safety requirements, as the railing cannot be considered sufficient.