Lights, Camera, Action!

NORD gear motors and control products ensure smooth, safe movement and quiet operation for live productions.

Drive Solutions for Stage and Theater Technology

Stages used in broadcast, theater, and other live venues require reliable, quiet drive technology that can operate safely around actors and stagehands. Curtains, podiums, and stage structures must be rotated, lifted, and moved into their correct positions unnoticed by the audience and without endangering performers and stage personnel. Tons of weight are moved above the heads of the actors, so expectations for safe drives, standard-compliant designs, and durable systems are correspondingly high.

NORD DRIVESYSTEMS is an experienced partner for film, television, and live performances. Our drive solutions meet the requirements of DIN 56950 and BGV C1, offering maximum operational reliability and drives designed for the special conditions of stage operations. With electromechanical drive technology becoming more prominent in stage construction, NORD’s low-maintenance, easy to install, and quiet drive systems are crucial for undisturbed production.

Through co-engineering, variant reduction, and energy-efficient VFD technology, NORD works with you to develop solutions that can be precisely controlled individually or in groups to harmonize effectively with scenic processes. Additionally, NORD drives support artistic staging, simplify operation, and consistently meet the high safety requirements of the industry.

Applications

  • Hoists and pulleys in the fly loft
  • Stage upper machinery for curtains, backdrops, and lighting bridges
  • Stage lower machinery for lifting platforms and orchestra lifts
  • Rotating and sliding stages
  • Lifting and lowering devices for scenery
  • Lateral shifting units for stage sets
  • Movable platforms and variable stage areas
  • Truss systems for lighting, sound, and stage technology
  • Show and special effects technology

Proven Drive Solutions from a Single Source

NORD drive technology can be found in the following venues, among others:

  • Live broadcast stages (USA)
  • Theaters and performance arts venues (USA)
  • Cruise ships (USA)
  • Friedrichspalast Berlin (Germany)
  • Musiktheater Bielefeld (Germany)
  • Comedy Theatre of Madrid (Spain)
  • Státni Oper Prague (Czech Republic)
  • Alexandrinsky Theater and Opera House Marlinsky II St. Petersburg (Russia)
  • National Theater Beijing (China)
  • Coex Art Centre Seoul (South Korea)
  • Opal Theatre on board the cruise ship Oasis (Finland)

Drive Solutions for Stage Upper Machinery: Precise, Quiet, and Safe

In the fly tower, point and prospect hoists move loads weighing several tons directly above performers and technicians, an area that places the highest demands on drive systems. Hoists must be precisely controllable, offer easily repeatable functions, and be secured against unintentional movement.

DGUV Regulation 17 and DIN EN 17206 establish clear standards for the design, braking architecture, and overall layout of the entire drive chain. NORD DRIVESYSTEMS understands and fully meets these requirements from many years of cooperation with theaters and automation specialists. Our drives for fly systems offer:

  • Stability
  • High load capacity
  • Redundant spring-applied brakes for maximum safety
  • Form-fit connections and fail-safe couplings
  • Quiet operation for undisturbed performance
  • Precise control twith sophisticated VFD technology

Additionally, NORD drive solutions are compact, allowing seamless integration above the stage area, even in environments with highly restricted space. The result is a dependable system design that enhances both operational safety and creative flexibility.

Drive Solutions for Stage Lower Machinery: Powerful for Podiums, Revolving Stages, and Lowering Devices

Complex drive systems often operate in confined spaces beneath the stage. Lifting platforms, orchestra lifts, turntables, and lowering mechanisms must safely carry heavy, often synchronized loads. These systems are built to handle these extremes while remaining unnoticed by the audience.

NORD’s stage lower drive solutions are a combination of:

  • Compact, high-torque gear units
  • Robust block housings
  • Precise control technology
  • Safety-oriented functions in accordance with current standards.

NORD DRIVESYSTEMS supplies gear motors and variable frequency drives that are well matched to these requirements, can absorb high axial and radial loads, and operate reliably even under continuous load. Low-noise motor variants, fanless drives, and advanced brake controls also contribute to quiet stage operation.

Drive Solutions for Lighting Systems: Safe Movement with a Compact Footprint

Lighting systems, trusses, and scenography must be moved precisely and quietly, often located in extremely confined spaces above the stage. At the same time, systems that move these heavy items require maximum operational reliability to always maintain control.

NORD DRIVESYSTEMS supports this sector with highly configurable drives designed to handle the demands of lighting system applications. Our solutions meet the safety requirements of modern stage technology and can be flexibly integrated into existing truss and lighting systems.

  • Compact designs for low heights and narrow truss constructions
  • Quiet gear motors for near silent movements
  • Redundant brake concepts for safe positioning
  • Flexible integration into temporary and permanent lighting bridges

Reliable Drive Components for Stage Technology

NORD supplies efficient drives that meet the latest energy standards, combined with robust designs and intelligent control technology. Our solutions are designed for long service life, high availability, and the strict safety requirements of stage technology, including redundant brake concepts, reliable protection classes, and standards-compliant design.

UNICASE™ Helical Inline Gear Motor

Helical Gear Unit with High Efficiency

  • Power: 0.16 - 200.0 hp (0.12 kW – 160 kW)
  • Torque: 89 - 230,119 lb-in (10 Nm – 23,160 Nm)
  • Highly efficient
  • Compact design
  • Quiet operation

UNICASE™ Parallel Shaft Gear Motor

Compact design

  • Power: 0.16 - 268 hp (0.12 kW – 200 kW)
  • Torque: 974 - 885,075 lb-in (110 Nm – 100,000 Nm)
  • Compact Design
  • Wash-down capable, available with NXD tupH® for food-safe surface protection
  • Quiet Operation

UNICASE™ Helical Bevel Gear Motor

Robust Helical Bevel Gear Motor for High Ratios and Torque

  • Power: 0.16 - 200.0 hp (0.12 kW – 200 kW)
  • Torque: Up to 442,537 lb-in (180 Nm – 50,000 Nm)
  • High power density
  • Long service life with low maintenance
  • High radial and axial load capacity

MAXXDRIVE® Industrial Gear Units

  • Sizes: 12
  • Power: 2.0 – 8,075 HP
  • Torque: 60,200 – 2,496,000 lb-in
  • Speed Ratio: 5.60:1 – 30,000:1

  • Parallel and angled gear units
  • High precision axis alignment
  • UNICASE housing
  • Long life, low maintenance

MAXXDRIVE® Industrial Gear Units

NORDAC® ON SK 300P

Variable Frequency Drive

NORDAC® FLEX – SK 200E – Variable Frequency Drive

Greater flexibility, lower costs

  • Power: 0.33 – 30.0 hp (0.25 – 22 kW)
  • Protection class: IP55, IP66
  • Wall or motor mounting
  • Highly configurable modular design
  • High functionality for a wide range of applications

NORDAC PRO Variable Frequency Drive - SK 500E

Wide range control cabinet functionality

  • Power Range: 0.33 – 200 HP (0.25 – 160 kW)
  • Protection Class: IP20
  • Flexibly Adjustable with Scalable Ethernet Interfaces
  • Scalable Range of Functions With Optional Plug-In Modules
  • Multiple-Axis Operation Controllable via Multi-Encoder Interface

Brake Technology

  • Electromagnetic spring-loaded brakes
  • Working or holding brakes
  • Double brakes
  • IP66 brakes
  • Rust protection
  • Dust protection
  • MIK air gap wear monitoring
  • Noise-optimized brakes

Encoder and Feedback Systems

  • TTL / HTL /sin-cos incremental encoders
  • Absolute encoders single or multiturn,
  • combined encoders
  • Sensor bearings
  • Inductive sensors

Double Shaft Sealing Rings and Shaft Material

  • Advanced sealing system
  • Long life gaskets
  • Clean gear oil
  • Rust-proof shafts

DTS2

Maximum Flexibility in Small Spaces

DTS2 implemented a state-of-the-art stage installation at the Theater aan het Spui in The Hague, despite minimal installation space under the ceiling. Around 40 compact, high-performance NORD drives ensure the reliable, quiet, and safe movement of bridges, backdrop lifts, and chain hoists.

Using helical bevel and parallel shaft gear units, the project achieved maximum freedom of movement while maintaining the highest safety standards. The result is a successful combination of stage expertise, engineering know-how, and precisely configured drive technology.

View the Full Reference

We needed a reliable partner who can design the best possible solution for us, who understands the special requirements of stage technology, and who is also familiar with issues such as safety and legal regulations. NORD supported us throughout the entire project with great commitment and comprehensive expertise. The technical support and service provided by NORD are truly remarkable.

Eeuwe Vos, Managing Director of DTS2

ShowFab

The Show Must Go On

ShowFab of Fairfield, New Jersey, is as a custom fabricator for creative markets. Founded in 1986, the company services Broadway shows, news programs, and broadcast sporting events with a wide range of colorful, eye-catching displays and structures.

One example of this was a project for a popular sports network. When asked to design, construct, and install the broadcast booth and lighting systems for the client's new facility in California, ShowFab reached out to NORD for the brake motors needed to drive the metal weldments that would hang above.

View the Full Reference

We very rarely build the same machine twice. Every one of them is custom-designed to fit a very specific need. There's always challenges in that, but we didn't have any issues whatsoever with any part of the project that was in NORD's care.

Drew Farrow, Senior Technical Designer - ShowFab

Duisburg Theater

Modernization with a Focus on Reliability and Safety

At Theater Duisburg, the control and automation technology for the stage machinery has been comprehensively modernized. More than 100 drives in the upper and lower machinery are now functionally controlled via the SIL 3–compliant system from industry specialist UNICAN, featuring powerful software, HMI consoles, modern axis controllers, and numerous control cabinets equipped with SK 535E series VFDs from NORD DRIVESYSTEMS. Intuitive touchscreen operation and precise show programming ensure smooth processes behind the scenes.

View the Full Reference

Documents

A6032 - Flyer: Theater & Stage

A6032 - Flyer: Theater & Stage
  • Download US-English
Documentation Details

G1000 - Catalog – Gear units – Constant Speed Drives

G1000 - Catalog – Gear units – Constant Speed Drives
  • Download US-English
Documentation Details

G1050 - Catalog – MAXXDRIVE® Industrial Gear Units 50 Hz Metric, 60 Hz Imperial

G1050 - Catalog – MAXXDRIVE® Industrial Gear Units 50 Hz Metric, 60 Hz Imperial
  • Download US-English
Documentation Details

E3000 - Catalog – NORDAC Electronic Drive Technology

E3000 - Catalog – NORDAC Electronic Drive Technology
  • Download US-English
Documentation Details

CS0031 - Case Study: DTS2 - Theater and Stage Technology

CS0031 - Case Study: DTS2 - Theater and Stage Technology
Documentation Details

  • Lifting Reimagined with MAXXDRIVE® XD

    MAXXDRIVE® XD industrial gear units combine proven components with a geometrically optimized, one-piece housing to handle the heaviest loads. The increased center distance allows for a more compact design and reduces drive weight by up to 60%. Additionally, an integrated inspection cover makes it easier to check and monitor internal components.

    Learn About MAXXDRIVE XD®

  • A New Level of Functional Safety

    Our comprehensive drive-based functional safety supports flexible system design without complex additional installations. At NORD, we support PROFINET and EtherCAT. NORD variable frequency drives can be integrated into safety-critical applications within an existing Industrial Ethernet network via PROFIsafe or FSoE.

    Integrating Functional Safety

Driven by Your Requirements

On stage, every movement counts. The technology in the background must work inconspicuously and with absolute safety. NORD DRIVESYSTEMS understands the special considerations for upper and lower machinery, the challenges of confined installation spaces, and the responsibility of moving extremely heavy loads precisely and safely. Our drive solutions are designed to meet the high safety standards of the industry and are configured to the needs of your venue.

Want to know which NORD solution best suits your stage technology strategy? Contact us to speak with our industry experts—we will take the time to understand your requirements and provide a solution that you can rely on for years to come.

Contact Us

Trade Shows and Events

NORD participates in trade shows and industry events around the world. Stop by our booths to find out more about the complete drive solutions that NORD DRIVESYSTEMS offers and discuss your next project.

Country   Trade Show City Date Booth
DE FMB Bad Salzuflen 2026-11-03 - 2026-11-05
CN CeMAT Shanghai 2026-11-03 - 2026-11-06 Hall W3, Stand A5-1
DE sps Nuremberg 2026-11-24 - 2026-11-26