Lighting

Lighting Designer

The Lighting Designer is responsible for the design and implementation of lighting design including all design, cueing, and paperwork. In collaboration with the Master Electrician, the Lighting Designer is ultimately responsible for the hanging, focusing, and upkeep of the lighting design. In certain productions, this position may be combined with that of Master Electrician.

Responsibilities

Pre-Production

  • Reads and studies the play; attends first production conference at which Director presents his/her interpretation of the play. Discusses possible lighting treatments with the Director and the Staff Production Manager and Technical Director.
  • Works with the Production Manager and Technical Director and Lighting Student Manager to determine instrument and electrical resources.
  • All designers meet with Director(s), Production Manager and Technical Director with preliminary designs in hand on the "Preliminary Design Due" date on the Department Calendar.

Rehearsal Period

  • Works with ground plan and elevations provided by Set Designer to create lighting design and generates the Light Plot.
  • Works closely with Set and Costume Designers, and Master Electrician to coordinate color choices and other scenic and costume elements.
  • Works closely with Master Electrician in hanging, cabling, and focusing during the week marked "Light Hang" on Department Calendar. Participates in Load-in.
  • Lighting Designer creates all paperwork including the Hook-up Schedule necessary for implementing the design.
  • Collaborates with the Director and in setting cues, providing the Stage Manager with preliminary Light Cue List as per the "Preliminary Q Sheets Due" deadline on the Department Calendar. Typically, the Lighting Designer and Director work together with the Stage Manager and the Light Board Operator in setting cues after the Scenic Artist has completed preliminary painting.
  • The Lighting Designer collaborates with the Stage Manager, Light Board Op, Director, Staff Production Manager/Technical Director in holding a paper tech as needed prior to tech weekend.
  • Attends Stagger through/Stumble through/First Run through
  • Is available for consultation during Load-in.
  • Submits weekly Production Budget Reports to the Staff Production Manager.

Dress Rehearsal/Performance Period

  • Attends at least one final Run through.
  • Attends Paper Tech.
  • Attends Dry Tech if held.
  • Attends Cue to Cue rehearsal.
  • Attends all Technical and Dress Rehearsals making notes for Master Electrician and Lighting Crew.
  • Ensures that show is saved to several discs kept in separate safe places.
  • Ensures that gels of highly saturated color are changed between production weekends if necessary.
  • Ensures that appropriate people and/or organizations are thanked in the program for their contributions to the production.

After Final Perfomance

  • During Strike, the Lighting Designer will collaborate with the Lighting Student Manager and Master Electrician in returning equipment to storage and insuring all items are returned in good condition.