Theatre

Show design and/or lighting support for the duration of the production -- including followspot design and cue list for each operator.

Theatre Challenges

Theatre poses different challenges than the concert setting does. It is more stringent in the lighting requirements because of fan noise, motor noise, color selection, and the lack of incandescent sources. However, these issues have been the focus of technology changes. Lighting rigs for theatrical productions are not as extensive as concert rigs.

Automated fixtures are used but with a different focus in mind. For example, they are used more for an emphasis on lighting the sets and making them come to "life". They are nice to use for projecting a tree breakup on a building to make it look like there may be a tree outside the window or a scene is taking place in a forest. Another great thing to do with automated lights is to project a cloud gobo onto a scrim and slowly rotate it making it look like the clouds are moving through the sky.

The lighting rig is not the only thing to design for the theatrical production. Followspots are also an important entity to the show. For example, keep in mind the distance of the throw required for the followspot, as well as how many operators you will have available. Followspots have become a mark of star-status rather than a source of light because most times it is used to follow the main characters. The actual fixture is more sophisticated in its design because of the optical and mechanical design. Another challenge to keep in mind when purchasing a followspot fixture is where it will be located in the theatre because it must be balanced to allow for smooth pan and tilt.

Our Lighting Design Technique

Myer Lighting can provide you with a professional lighting design for your theatrical production. We take the challenges posed by automated fixtures and implement them into the design in such a way as to accent the sets, as well as the actors. The followspot design plays an important role in the look of the production as attendees of the show will walk away and remember a followspot mistake or they will walk away and comment on the great lighting show.

Included in the cost of the entire light design, we will also provide each followspot operator with a cue list.