What is a Get In (Load In)?

A get in (UK) or load in (US) is the process of bringing a show's equipment into a venue and building it, from unloading the trucks to the final line check. The two terms mean the same thing; which one people use depends mainly on where they trained.

How a load-in works

Most load-ins follow the same order:

  1. Trucks arrive: vehicles park at the loading dock at the agreed get-in time, and the crew chief briefs the local crew.
  2. Rigging first: riggers hang motors and points so lighting, sound and video can be flown.
  3. Build: the stage, set, lighting rig and PA are assembled and lifted into place.
  4. Backline and set-up: backline goes on stage, following the stage plot, and everything is cabled.
  5. Checks: lighting is focused, the PA is tuned and a line check confirms every input works before sound check.

The get-in time and crew numbers are agreed in the advance. Venues booking local crew for each get-in often schedule crew shifts in Crescat.

Load in vs load out

A load in builds the show; a load out takes it down and packs it back into the trucks after the show. Load-outs are usually faster, often half the time of the load-in, because nothing needs focusing or testing.

Example one-day concert load-in

  • 08:00 Trucks arrive, riggers start
  • 09:00 Local crew call, unload and push
  • 11:00 Lighting and PA flown
  • 13:00 Backline set, stage cabled
  • 14:00 Lighting focus, PA tuning
  • 15:00 Line check, then sound check

Frequently asked questions

Is a get in the same as a load in?

Yes. "Get in" is the usual term in UK theatre and venues, and "load in" is the usual US term. Both describe moving equipment into the venue and building the show.

How long does a load-in take?

A club show can load in within an hour or two. Arena tours usually take six to eight hours from the first truck, and large theatre productions may take several days.

What does "push" mean during a load-in?

The push is the part of the load-in where crew move flight cases from the trucks through the loading dock and into the venue. The cases are then sent to each department to unpack.

Related terms