Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Offers a deeper investigation of content then covered by TA 113 Introduction to Stage Lighting.  Students are given leadership opportunities & additional projects and access to Vectorworks CAD software.

Upon completion of the course students should be able to:

• Describe the pros and cons of lighting for three traditional stage types: Proscenium, Thrust, and Arena.
• Produce light plot, instrument schedule, and magic sheet drawings and schedules.
• Describe the pros and cons of six stage lighting instruments: PAR, Fresnel, Ellipsoidal, Source Four ERS, LED PAR, and LED Ellipsoidal.
• Design and implement a complete lighting design for a small scale live event.

Assessment shall include:

• An examination based on the text readings and lecture materials.

• A group of scaled drawings & schedules, including: light plot, instrument schedule, cheat sheet.

• A cumulative final lighting design project, and an oral presentation of their lighting paperwork/light plot. 

• A self reflection paper evaluating their intermediate process in the class.

• At least two of the following additional measures:

a. Graded homework  
b. Group projects  
c. Attendance and participation
d. Shop projects
e. Participation in the technical crew for the main-stage production

Assessment Basis:

• Evaluation of the light design, hang, focus, gel and lighting tech for the main-stage show and/or a live event.

• Evaluation of the design and building of props, scenery, and costumes for the main-stage show and/or a live event.

• Successful performance of the selected/assigned tech crew position for the main-stage show and/or a live event.

• How to think visually-taking written ideas and describing them:

a. Visually - Color, distribution and texture
b. Physically -Movement through the exclusive use of lighting  
c. Verbally - Effectively communicating lighting design terms and concepts orally

• Understanding the theatre production process from the viewpoint of a lighting designer:

a. Script
b. Scaled drawings/schedules  
c. Finished stage lighting & scenery

• Understanding theatre as a hierarchical group art form-as a contributing member of a production team:

a. Script as the source 
b. Director’s Vision  
c. Production Staff (Producer, Stage Manager, Assistant Stage Manager, Technical Director, Scene Shop Artisans, PR staff)  
d. Design team (scenery, lights, props, costumes, sound)  

Competencies/Skills:  

• Backstage safety practices.

• Communicating conceptual & practical application.

• Creating lighting design paperwork:

a. Light plot 
b. Instrument schedule  
c. Cheat sheet

• Reading & translating lighting design paperwork properly.

• Successfully working with materials and tools/equipment common to stage lighting practices.

• Installing & focusing lighting fixtures common to a main-stage shows.  

Prerequisite Knowledge and Skills:

• TA 111, Fundamentals of Technical Theatre & TA 112, Introduction to Scenic Design is preferred, but not required.

• Oral and written command of college level English is suggested.