Assigned by lighting faculty

Prerequisites: THTR 286, THTR 372, THTR 386, Assistant Lighting Design Assignment

The lighting designer is responsible for the design, implementation, execution and documentation of all lighting and effects associated with the show.

The lighting designer often draws on several skills:

• Collaborate on the production concept and conceptualize the part lighting will play in the performance.

• Analyze, direct and realize concepts that reinforce the production concept.

• Visualize the images and colors based on the concept, and work with the other designers.

• Communicate; express lighting ideas using verbal or graphic skills. Listen, in order to understand ideas, and respond to them.

• Coordinate and orchestrate the lighting with the other production elements.

• Accomplish the goals of the lighting within the existing parameters.

Lighting Designer's Checklist

Checklist for creating Light Plots and Paperwork

Working with your Master Electrician

Lighting designers for mainstage shows should sign up for (1) credit of THTR 497  in the semester before the show opens and (2) credits in the semester that the show opens.

Assigned by lighting faculty

Prerequisites: THTR 286 (can be co-requisite)

Lighting designers for the mainstage dance concerts work with a repertory light plot to design the lighting for one or more dance pieces of 10 minutes or less in length.  They will also serve as programmers for the other lighting designers assigned to the dance concert.

Lighting designers for mainstage dance concerts should sign up for THTR 497 for 1 credit in the semester that that dance concert happens. (Can be counted towards the 278B/478B requirement) 

Assigned by lighting faculty

Prerequisites: THTR 286

The music department produces Opera Scenes every fall and a Chamber Opera every other spring.  Both are performed in the Recital Hall.  Lighting designers use the repertory lighting plot in that space, though they may make changes to color, gobos and the focus of the lights.

Lighting designers for Opera Scenes or the Chamber Opera should sign up for THTR 497 for 1 unit in the semester that the performance happens. (Can be counted towards the 278B/478B requirement) 

Productions that are not mainstage productions are often called "Studio Series" shows.  They include:

• the 12x16 dance concert

• BFA Showcases

• Shows produced by the student-run SPOT organization.

These projects are not assigned or mentored by the lighting design faculty and are not supported by the Master Electrician.  They typically happen in either the Arena Theatre or Grand Central and use the repertory light plots in those spaces.  No changes in color, gobos or focus are permitted without prior approval from the Master Electrician.

Lighting designers for mainstage dance concerts should sign up for THTR 497 for 1 credit in the semester that that dance concert happens. (Can be counted towards the 278B/478B requirement) 

Assigned by lighting faculty and sometimes recruited by lighting designer

Pre-requisites: THTR 286, THTR 484 (soft requirement)

At CSUF, the programmer is responsible for programming the console during technical rehearsals.  They should have a firm understanding of the syntax and capabilities of the lighting console so that they can help the lighting designer realize their vision quickly and fully.  The programmer's work is finished at the end of technical rehearsals and the Board Op will run the console for all performances.

Programmers should sign up for one unit of 278B/478B credit

Generally a student fulfilling 278B/478B assignment

Prerequisites: None

The spot operator will run a followspot for the tech and performance of a show.  The followspot operator's primary responsibility is to highlight the focal person or persons onstage based on guidance from the lighting designer and/or assistant lighting designer.  You can request this position when you fill out your 278B/478B Production request form.

Spot Ops should sign up for one unit of 278B/478B credit

Lois is the staff member who manages all technical aspects of lighting operations, including planning, budgeting, installation and maintenance.  She  directs  and  supervises  student crews for all electrics work from installation through load-out of each production and supports  the  artistic  vision  of directors  and  designers as  it  relates to  the  advancement,  budgeting,  and  realization  of  lighting  designs.