Lighting Design

Inspiration & Exploration

Stage lighting is one of those things you never notice when it's done right — but you can't look away when it's done brilliantly. Start watching performances with fresh eyes: search YouTube for "theatrical lighting design examples" and "concert lighting rigs." The channel **Stage Lighting Store** posts beginner-friendly explainers. Browse r/lightingdesign on Reddit to see real designers share their work and discuss challenges. Look up the **Utah Shakespeare Festival** in Cedar City and the **Pioneer Theatre Company** in Salt Lake — both post production photos where you can study how light shapes a scene. Notice how light creates mood, reveals or hides actors, and guides where your eye goes. You're ready for the next step when you can describe how lighting contributes to the emotion of three different performances you've watched.

Tools & Techniques

Lighting design has its own language: DMX, fixtures, gobos, gels, wash versus spot, color temperature. Start with the free **PLSN (Projection, Lights & Staging News)** website, which has tutorials and glossaries. Watch **Wolfmix** tutorials on YouTube for modern LED and DMX basics. Download **QLC+**, a free open-source lighting control software you can run on any laptop — it lets you program light shows without owning a single fixture. Read through the **USITT (United States Institute for Theatre Technology)** website for professional standards and free student resources. Sketch a simple stage diagram and label where you'd put a key light, fill light, and backlight. You're ready for the next step when you can explain what DMX is and correctly label six common lighting positions on a stage diagram.

First Creations

Time to actually control some lights. If you can't get into a real theatre, start with **QLC+** on your computer and build a virtual lighting rig for a simple three-person scene. If you have access to even a few LED par cans, set them up in a room and experiment: what happens when you light someone from below? From the side only? Try creating a "sunrise" cue sequence from deep blue to warm amber. Volunteer to run lights for a school play, a church production, or a community theatre group — the **Salt Lake Acting Company** and **Hale Centre Theatre** both use volunteers. Post your cue lists or setup photos to r/lightingdesign. You're ready for the next step when you've programmed and executed a complete scene with at least three different lighting states.

Style Development

Every lighting designer develops a point of view. Are you drawn to hyper-realistic naturalistic light — sun through a window, candlelight? Or bold theatrical color and dramatic shadow? Watch **Howell Binkley's** work on Broadway productions and study how **Jules Fisher** uses negative space. Search "lighting design concept statements" to see how designers write about their intentions before touching a board. Try lighting the same scene two completely different ways and photograph the result. Study how color gels change the emotional reading of a scene — **Lee Filters** and **Rosco** both publish free gel sample books and color theory guides on their websites. You're ready for the next step when you can write a one-paragraph concept statement for a lighting design before you program a single cue.

Refine Your Craft

Now you push into professional territory. Learn to read and draw a **light plot** — the technical document that tells a crew where every fixture hangs. Download free plot templates from the **USITT** website. Study **Vectorworks Spotlight**, the industry-standard software (free student licenses are available). Shadow a lighting designer at a local venue — reach out to the **Eccles Theater** or **Capitol Theatre** in SLC; many designers welcome curious students. Read **"Stage Lighting Design" by Richard Pilbrow** for a foundational text used in university programs. Practice calling cues out loud while watching a recorded show to build your timing instincts. You're ready for the next step when you can produce a complete, accurate light plot for a simple set.

Portfolio Piece

Design a complete lighting package for a real or imagined production — a one-act play, a concert set, or a dance piece. Write a full concept statement, draw a light plot, and create a cue list. If you can execute it live, document it with video and stills. Present your design package (concept, plot, cue notes, and production photos) to r/lightingdesign or submit it as a portfolio piece to a local theatre company. Apply for a student or community membership with **USITT** to get your work in front of industry people. You're ready for the next step when you have a shareable portfolio PDF showing your design concept, technical plot, and production documentation for one complete show.