The Lighting Department is responsible for the lighting of all Questors productions in the Playhouse and in the Studio. The Department is headed by a committee representing Lighting Designers working at The Questors, and has a Chairperson elected by that committee.

Background

Sydney strangles Clifford in Deathtrap
(The Studio, 1998)

The Lighting Designer will work with the Set Designer, Costume Designer and Director to contribute to the overall design concept and will advise on any potential difficulties, from a lighting viewpoint, that are apparent from the proposed stage set.

What is Involved?

Stanley suffers in The Birthday Party
(The Studio, 2001)

Once the final set design is agreed, the Lighting Designer will have started work on the Lighting Plan, trying to interpret design concepts into lantern placement and circuit allocations. As the design concept develops the Lighting Designer will begin to talk to the crew and in particular the Lighting Operator so that they have more idea of what work will be involved in achieving the design; for example, if there will be a lot of lanterns in unusual places, a lot of complex cues, special effects etc.

The Beauty Queen of Leenane
(The Playhouse, 2002)

The get-in time arrives - in the Playhouse this is usually midday on the first Sunday - and the lighting crew start to rig the lanterns according to the lighting design plan. Once the lanterns are in place and plugged up to the correct circuits then improving can begin. "Improving" describes the tasks of adjusting the lantern to light the appointed area of the stage or set, correcting the focus and finally adding the colour gel. This will take perhaps the first two or three evenings. The improving can only be done when the main elements of the set are constructed and when it is possible for the production crew to work for periods without working lights.

The next stage is to plot the various lighting levels required for each cue and to build up the memory of cues in the computer based control boards. It is usual for the first Saturday to be spent on a Technical Rehearsal when all the lighting states and cues are agreed with the Director and plotted in the script. By the time the Production moves into the final rehearsal stages and carries on into the run, the riggers will have done their work and most of the improving will have been completed leaving the Operator(s) with perhaps one improver to service the rig during the production run. The operator has to check that every lantern is working before each performance and replace lamps etc. as required. The operator will also check that the lanterns have not been moved out of position by other users of the performing space, such as daytime hirers.

Lighting Rigger

Duties :

- To work as part of a team trying to achieve an optimum operational lighting design to meet set criteria

- To help to install lighting rig in accordance with design plan within time scales allowed

- To de-rig lighting at end of production and return equipment to correct storage area

- To check for obvious repair needs on lanterns and cables

- To follow safety instructions at all times

- To declare any vertigo or other similar problem that could affect the safety of you or others

Skills : (after any basic training required)

- Awareness of electrical hazards and risks associated with working at heights

- Knowledge of the different types of lanterns in use

- The ability to read and understand lighting design drawings and notes

- The capability to handle safely a range of lanterns and cables across lighting catwalks (in Playhouse) and/or from tower and ladder (in Studio)

- The ability to clean equipment, replace lamps and carry out simple wiring tasks

Commitment required :

Willingness to work from start of get-in to end of installation - typically Sunday afternoon and evening plus Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings of first week of production, or as agreed dependent on Lighting Riggers available. On Sunday morning at end of production for get-out. Note: Some staff are only required for short periods at get-in and get-out.

Activities that follow on :

Lighting Improver, Lighting Operator and Lighting Designer

Lighting Improver

Duties :

As for a Lighting Rigger plus the ability to :

- Focus and colour lanterns as required

- Adjust lantern positions as required

Skills : (after any basic training required)

As for a Lighting Rigger, plus :

- General knowledge of different lantern types and their uses

- General knowledge of colour principles, the effect of filters and coloured light

- The ability to work out and implement circuit allocation and patching

- The capability to make/produce simple lighting effects

Commitment

Willingness to attend rehearsals to become familiar with the production. To work from start of get-in till the last night of the production - typically three weeks in The Playhouse or in The Studio. Alternatively work a shift pattern if more than one operator is available.

Activity Progression :

Senior Lighting Improver, Lighting Operator and Lighting Designer

Lighting Operator

Duties

As for a Lighting Improver plus the ability to :

- Programme lighting control board(s)

- Operate the lighting board and special effects during the performance

Skills : (after any basic training required)

As for a Lighting Improver, plus the ability to :

- Operate lighting control boards in use in Questors

- Liaise effectively with Lighting Designer, Director and Stage Manager

- Carry out lighting checks pre production, change dimmer fuses and/or re patch dimmer assignments

- Interpret design and director's requirements for lighting changes into effective cue states

- Write cue sheets and mark up the script in a recognised format

- Concentrate on script and cues with appropriate speed of reaction

Commitment

Willingness to attend rehearsals to become familiar with the production. To work from start of get-in till the last night of the production - typically three weeks (in the Playhouse) or four weeks (in the Studio). Alternatively work a shift pattern if more than one operator is available.

Activity Progression

To Lighting Designer

Lighting Designer

Duties :

As for a Lighting Operator plus :

- To execute an effective lighting design to meet the criteria agreed with Director and Set Designer

- To ensure the lighting operation meets the design criteria

Skills : (after any basic training required)

As for a Lighting Operator plus the ability to :

- Liaise effectively with the Director, Set Designer and Stage Manager

- Translate an initial concept to a finished design based on the play script and other production criteria

- Translate conceptual ideas into practical solutions

- Prepare lighting design drawings

- Supervise the lighting crew installing the rig

- Supervise the lighting operation

Commitment :

Willingness to work from the start of pre-production meetings to the last night of the production as required to complete an effective lighting design - typically several meetings pre-rehearsal, and attendance at a number of rehearsals. Plus two weeks get-in period (in the Playhouse) or one or two weeks (in the Studio), plus supervision of the production operation as required.