From the Tree to the 2x4, RACO Electric Actuators Make the Process work Throughout the process,...
RACO Actuators have played a pivotal role in enhancing the technical precision and seamless operation of stage effects in theater productions.
In 1987, East Coast Theatre Supply purchased 13 RACO actuators (Size 4, Type C) for use in the production of The Phantom of the Opera. These actuators have a 19.7 inch stroke, and came equipped with 3mm ACME screw, trunnion brackets, hand operator and 1 pair of mechanical SPDT limit switches.
The actuators were installed below the stage at the Majestic Theater in the Manhattan Theater district of New York City. During each performance there are two scenes that take place in the sewers, where six candelabras rise up through trap doors in the floor of the stage. Each trap door is 4 foot by 2 foot and is operated by two RACO actuators that are controlled by Allen Bradley PLC’s.
There are a total of 12 actuators operating 6 trap doors during each show. During these scenes which take place in the bowels of the Opera House, the audience sees a boat navigating around the candelabras on the fog covered stage, which ultimately leads to where the Phantom lives. In order for the illusion to be effective, the RACO actuators must be quiet when opening/closing the trap doors, but also must be able to support the trap doors when closed for the other scenes that take place on the stage above.
The Phantom of the Opera is already by far, Broadway’s longest running show. When the curtain falls for the final time on Sunday, April 16, 2023, there will have been over 14,000 performances with over 20 million tickets sold. Randy Sautner has been an Automation Carpenter for the production of the Phantom of the Opera since the show began in 1988. In the past 35 years, Randy has had “no real complaints” and is happy with the reliability of the RACO Actuators. According to Randy, the actuators “have been running trouble free for 35 years!”
Over the years as the actuators have aged, they have begun to produce more noise, but they are still quiet enough to remain unnoticed during the show. Throughout the entire run of the show, only 1 actuator needed to be replaced.
Additionally, we have record of only 1 actuator being returned to us in 2022 for evaluation /repair due to the mechanical SPDT limit switches wearing out. Therefore, almost all of the actuators currently being used today are still the originals that were installed in 1988. This is true testament of the durability, longevity and reliability of the RACO Actuators.
