Lighting

A theatre lighting director oversees all aspects of lighting a production. This involves the operation and maintenance of lighting systems in the theatre.

Lighting directors normally have a technical background in electrics/electronics or have acquired their skills from technical theatre or stage management courses, specialising in lighting.

In large theatres, the theatre lighting director liaises with the lighting designer to realise the design and oversees the work of a team of technicians. In smaller theatres the lighting director designs the lighting, decides on the equipment to use and how it is to be rigged, and may even operate the equipment during performances.

Work activities typically include:

•taking responsibility for the maintenance and security of lighting equipment;

•rigging lights;

•focusing lights;

•deciding on colours and changes;

•preparing a lighting plot for use by technicians or for input into a computer;

•operating lights manually, or by a computer, on cues from the deputy stage manager.