Backstage Pass: Costume Designer
Backstage Pass: Programmer
Backstage Pass: Lighting Designer
Backstage Pass: Orchestra Librarian
Backstage Pass: Orchestra Manager
Backstage Pass
Backstage Pass: Lighting Designer
What is the job of a lighting designer like?
In every live performance, there are a few very important elements that bring the show to life—like the set, costumes, sound and of course, lighting! A designer is responsible for each element and together they make up the show’s creative team, which includes other people like the director—and in some cases such as musicals—a choreographer and musical director as well!
This is Genevieve and she is a lighting designer!
Lighting design is essential in any live performance. Without lights, you would not be able to see the stage at all! Can you think of other reasons why lighting design is important? What makes a good lighting designer? Let’s find out from Genevieve!
As a lighting designer, Genevieve gets to work closely with different members of the production team at each stage of the process. She says: “One of the things I love about being a lighting designer is working with a huge team, collaborating together, and seeing how the project comes to fruition at the end.”
It’s all in the process
So how does one go about designing the lighting for a show? There are some occasions where a lighting designer might be required to design for a roving performance (acts that usually move around) or outdoor performances where there may not be fixed light and electrical sources. Can you imagine how challenging lighting design could be for such shows? Each production is unique in its own needs and a lighting designer has to be creative and adaptable to be able to work within the resources that they are provided with.
Lighting design is a long process and it is not uncommon for lighting designers to be working on multiple projects at the same time. Let’s take a look at what the lighting design process for a show in Esplanade Theatre is like!
Curious to find out more about the magic (or science) that goes behind lighting design? Learn how lighting designers can create different lighting effects and colour combinations on stage here.
A lighting designer’s must-haves
Unlike other designers who are able to start working on their designs before the show such as constructing set pieces or sewing costumes, a lighting designer is only able to execute their design when they enter the theatre during bump in. This is because it is only during bump in that they will be able to finally see the actual stage, and work with all the lighting instruments.
Thankfully, there are many tools that help them plan their design thoroughly beforehand, and when they are at work in the theatre itself. Let’s find out what some of these tools are!
When the show is finally open, that’s when the lighting designer’s job is done! There are many things to love about the job of a lighting designer but to Genevieve, there is certainly one moment that stands out:
“ Whenever there’s a lighting cue that falls perfectly with the movement on stage, with the sound and with all the other elements, and it comes together perfectly, there’s always that wah, very shiok (pleasing)—that kind of moment. ”
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