Why Stage Lighting?
Visibility/Illumination
Mood and atmosphere
Indication of time and place
Rhythm and punctuation
Make it pretty!
Help the actors – isolation from audience
Vocabulary
Light Crew – Responsibilities:Planning (lighting design)Preparing (hanging/focusing/programming the lights)Running the lights during the performances
Lighting PlotFloor plan of the set showing the placement of
lightingA list of what lights are turned on and off and where
the switches are locatedCues are marked in the tech’s promptbook for use in
production
Lighting Instruments
Ellipsoidal Reflector Spotlights (Lekos) – Produces a strong concentrated beam of light
Lighting Instruments
Follow Spot – Used to highlight and follow a moving performer. Produces a beam strong enough to project at a distance.
Lighting Instruments
Floodlight/Scoop – has short throw distance and is used to provide medium to wide wash (spread) of light
Lighting Instruments
Border Light Strip – A strip of lights connected together in one metal unit. They are generally hung above the stage to blend the acting areas and to add color to the set.
Lighting Instruments
PAR Can - produces an intense oval pool of light with unfocused edges (like a car’s headlight)