What Are Dance Heads and Why Rent Them
Dance heads are motorized rigging units that mount lighting, speakers, or cameras on truss systems and allow remote pan, tilt, and rotation control. They are used in touring productions, theater, broadcast studios, and live event venues where precise overhead positioning is required. Renting dance heads avoids the high upfront cost of purchase and lets crews select specific load ratings, motor types, and control protocols for each production.
Rental pricing typically ranges from $150 to $600 per unit per week depending on payload capacity, control interface, and brand, with volume discounts for multi-day or multi-unit orders. Major suppliers include PRG, Entertainment Services Group, and White Light, which maintain global fleets and offer delivery, setup, and on-site technical support for large-scale tours and festivals.
Key Specs, Control Protocols, and Load Ratings
Common payload capacities for dance heads range from 15 kg to 60 kg, with some heavy-duty models rated for over 80 kg when used with reinforced truss. Control options include DMX512, sACN, Art-Net, and proprietary wireless or wired protocols, with many units supporting 16-bit precision for smooth, low-jitter movement. Integration with lighting consoles from ETC, MA Lighting, and ChamSys is standard on current-generation heads, allowing cue-based automation alongside conventional fixtures.
Motor Types and Noise Levels
Most professional dance heads use brushless DC motors with encoders for position feedback, offering quieter operation and longer service life than stepper-based designs. Noise levels typically fall between 35 dB and 45 dB at one meter, which is critical for theater, broadcast, and intimate venue applications where audible motor hum can interfere with dialogue or music.
Top Rental Providers, Availability, and Booking Process
PRG, the world's largest entertainment technology rental company, operates dance heads and related truss rigs across North America, Europe, and Asia, with same-day delivery possible in major metro markets. Entertainment Services Group and White Light are also widely used, with online inventory portals that show real-time availability, images, and spec sheets for specific models. For smaller regional productions, local AV and staging companies often carry a limited selection of dance heads and can bundle them with rigging, cabling, and operator services.
Booking Workflow and Lead Times
Standard booking requires a quote, rental agreement, and deposit, with lead times of three to ten business days for common models and longer for specialized or high-capacity units. Many providers offer technical riders, load-out diagrams, and on-site rigging supervision as add-on services, which are especially valuable for complex stage configurations or multi-camera broadcast setups.