Just a word of caution - get someone qualified and professional. RISKS INVOLVED. Requires a unique and specific harness to pull this gag off successfully and SAFELY. I mean I know many I'd like to hang onstage but alas that's called homicide.  In this case it's just negligent manslaughter. PLEASE SEEK OUT A PROFESSIONAL TO DO THIS. And to all you who might have done this before on your own successfully, lucky for your poor actor.  If you can't find a professional who has the specific harnesses required and a system whereby this CAN be done safely - find another way, a hooded dummy (last second switch) or behind a curtain where they can't see the switch or something other than "for real".  NOT being paranoid either - just cautious and safe for the sake of an actor. PROFESSIONAL PROFESSIONAL PROFESSIONAL only PLLLLEEEEAAAAZZZEE!!!

very good advice...thanks guys...we will definitely be careful, and i wasnt even talking about ACTUALLY doing it...just an illusion if you will...

I agree that safety is first in line with anything of this matter or any variation.

We did Assassins a number of years ago and one of the men was hung in the end of the scene.  This was staged very well by our director.  Our actor walked up the gallows, put on his hood, donned the noose, then the stage went black.  As the lights went out, the sound effects kicked in with the trap door drop, the thud then the sound of the rope swinging back and forth.  Give the audience something to use their imagination on.  My bet is that the thought of it happening in the blackout will be more gruesome than anything you can do without hiring a real professional to asure the safety of the actor.