LIGHTING, LIGHTING CREW – JOB DESCRIPTION
Prerequisite Classroom Studies:
TH 166
TH 268
Theory of Play Production
Lighting Technology
The Lighting Crew members must register for Theatre Lab or the appropriate Theatre Application [majors &
minors] or Rehearsal and Performance [non-majors] class.
As a student in a Production Application or Rehearsal and Performance class, the position is expected to attend and
participate in all class meetings including:
 First class meeting and design presentations
 All scheduled workshops
 Crew run through
 All technical rehearsals and performances
 Strike
 Debriefing
Specific Job Duties:
• Lighting Crew members must obtain a copy of the production’s lighting schedule and specifically define
their work calls according to the production calendar as reviewed with the Master Electrician.
• Lighting Crewmembers are responsible for obtaining the necessary training on the proper and efficient use
of the equipment they will be using. Training must be completed before hanging and focusing sessions
begin. This training will be coordinated through a quarterly orientation workshop by the Staff Master
Electrician or a Faculty Lighting Designer.
• With the Lighting Designer and M.E., the Lighting Crew will be responsible for the upkeep, cleanliness,
safety and maintenance of all theatre areas and equipment. They will make certain that these areas are clean
after every use. These responsibilities include making sure that all Department policies and procedures
governing the use of the lighting equipment and these facilities are strictly adhered to.
• Lighting Crewmembers will assist the Master Electrician and T.D. with the wiring of scenic practical
lighting or stage properties, as instructed.
• Lighting Crewmembers will assist the Master Electrician with the hanging, cabling, securing and focusing
of all lighting equipment used in production.
• Calls for Lighting (Run) Crews for run-throughs and work sessions will be ½ hour prior, and calls for
technical rehearsals, dress rehearsals and performances no later than 1 hour before the show (or as
determined by the Stage Manager).
• Rehearsal and performance dress code will be determined by the production team and relayed to
the Lighting (Run) Crew by the Stage Manager.
• Working with the Stage Manager and Master Electrician, the Lighting (Run) Crew must check their
equipment to be certain that it is in proper working order. These pre-show checks will be performed on a
daily basis and be completed by a time no less than one hour before scheduled rehearsals or performances.
• The Lighting (Run) Crew must work all technical rehearsals, dress rehearsals and performances, executing
all cues for the production as called by the Stage Manager and established by the Director and Lighting
Designer. At the end of each run, they will see that their equipment is properly shut down and secured.
• The Lighting (Run) Crew must attend and participate in production photo calls, as listed on the production
calendar.
LIGHTING, DESIGNER (STUDENT) - JOB DESCRIPTION
Prerequisite Classroom Studies: TH 166 Theory of Play Production
TH 268
Lighting Technology
TH 368
Stage Lighting
TH 366
Principles of Design / Rendering Techniques
TH 468
Lighting Design
Prerequisite Applied Experiences:
Served on a CWU lighting crew.
Served as Master Electrician
Served as an Asst. Lighting Designer to a Faculty designer.
Designed a Student Project seen by the Theatre Arts Department Design Faculty.
The Lighting Designer must register for the appropriate Production Applications [majors &
minors] or Rehearsal and Performance [non-majors] class.
As a student in a Production Application or Rehearsal and Performance class, the Lighting Designer is expected to
attend and participate in all class meetings including:
 First class meeting and design presentations
 All scheduled workshops
 Crew run through
 All technical rehearsals and performances
 Strike
 Debriefing
Specific Job Duties (Design Process):
• The Lighting Designer must read and become thoroughly familiar with script.
• The Lighting Designer must consult with his/her Faculty mentor while the design is being developed,
including submitting rough plots and storyboards for approval. Consultations should be held as often as
needed, but not less than weekly.
• The Lighting Designer must complete an analysis for the script, including a plot synopsis, theme
development, historical backgrounds of the text, metaphors, character relationships and other ideas. This
analysis is to be developed into a preliminary design concept for the show - in written format, and should
include visual support materials.
• The Lighting Designer must consult with the Director and other members of the production design team in
a series of small meetings in addition to all scheduled design meetings in order to collaborate on finalizing
the production design concept, style, scale, color palette, and other design choices.
• Communicating design intentions is a very important part of the design process for multi-set productions or
those where a unit set is utilized to represent multiple settings. Be sure to include figures for scale.
• The Lighting Designer must, after script analysis, research and consultation with the production team,
develop his/her individual design concept for the show. The concept is to be stated in a written form of no
more than 250 words, according to USA- Local 829 format, and avoid using overtly technical lighting
terminology.
• The Lighting Designer must attend and participate in all design and production meetings.
• With the Faculty Mentor, Production Manager, Director, Stage Manager, Master Electrician, Light Shop
Supervisor, T.D., and other members of the production team, the Lighting Designer must set up schedules
for all lighting events such as:
o design deadlines
o rehearsals
o paper tech
o load-ins
o hanging
o focusing
o cue setting
o crew training
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o equipment rentals
o strike
Working closely with the Director, M.E., and his/her Faculty Design Advisor, the Lighting Designer must
research and design all of the lighting elements for the show. The Designer will have all designs approved
by the Faculty Advisor, in writing, before the show enters the theatre for production.
The Lighting Designer must attend scheduled production run-throughs before creating and drafting the
lighting plot and finalizing light cue sheets/storyboards.
The Lighting Designer will be responsible for accommodating any projections, as determined by the needs
of the production and production team.
The Lighting Designer must design any special effects lighting required by the show (this does not include
digital projected media). The Designer will work out the execution and details of those effects with the
Master Electrician, the T.D., and the Light Shop Supervisor.
The Lighting Designer must create a descriptive cue sheet and visual storyboard in order to communicate
their design intentions to other members of the production team.
Observing calendar deadlines, the Lighting Designer must generate:
o a light plot (in an appropriate manner and scale) to be approved by the lighting advisor
o a section drawing
o an instrument schedule
o a channel hookup
o a color schedule
o a cue sheet
o a magic or cheat sheet
He/she will provide copies of these documents to the M.E. at least one day before the information is
necessary to the progress of the show.
At Paper Tech, the Lighting Designer will establish all light cues with the Director, Stage Manager and
other production team members. He/she will work with the production team to make sure they are
correctly detailed for crewmembers and are inserted correctly into the prompt book for the show.
The Lighting Designer must work with the Light Shop Manager during the design process to assure the
show is designed within the allotted budget and capabilities of human resources.
The Designer will work with the M.E. to solve possible problems with the lighting before the show goes
into crew production.
The Lighting Designer must be responsible for staying within the budget that has been established for the
production’s lighting needs. To that end, the Designer will check all equipment and storage inventories
before requesting orders for gel, lamps, and cable. (Expenses must be approved by the Light Shop
Supervisor prior to the expenditure.) Both the Production Manager and the Light Shop Supervisor must
approve emergency expenses in excess of allotted funding.
The Lighting Designer will process all purchases through the Light Shop Supervisor in a timely fashion to
meet production deadlines. He/she must keep a budget record and return all receipts to the Light Shop
Supervisor for processing.
The Lighting Designer must work with the Scenic Designer in designing any practical light sources or set
lighting effects. The acquisition or construction of practical light sources (including internal wiring) and
their installation will be the responsibility of the Scenic Designer, Prop Master/Mistress, T.D. and scene
shop crews, with the electrical hookup of those left to the Master Electrician.
Hanging, Focusing, Cueing:
• The Lighting Designer will work closely with the Master Electrician to insure the quality and integrity of
the design.
• With the Master Electrician, the Lighting Designer will work out all hanging, cabling, and hook-up details
for the plot. These details must incorporate and follow proper hanging guidelines and safety.
• Lighting Designer must be responsible for the upkeep, cleanliness, safety and maintenance of all lighting
areas and equipment, including the electric shop, the storage areas, control booths and theatres. The
Designer will ensure that Department policies and procedures governing the use of these facilities are
strictly adhered to.
• The Lighting Designer must be present and direct the focusing of all lighting instruments and lighting
effects.
Technical Rehearsals and Performance:
• The Lighting Designer must instruct the Master Electrician and/or Board Operators on the execution of
cues, as necessary.
• The Lighting Designer must prepare a magic or cheat sheet prior to setting cues.
• The Lighting Designer must set all cues into the lighting console before Cue-to-Cue/first technical
rehearsal.The Lighting Designer must attend Cue-to-Cue, all technical, dress rehearsals and previews, to
address any needed changes and adjustments. The Designer will pass along these adjustment/execution
notes to the Light Board Operator, Master Electrician and Stage Manager as necessary.
LIGHTING, MASTER ELECTRICIAN (STUDENT) - JOB DESCRIPTION
Prerequisite Classroom Studies:
Prerequisite Applied Experiences:
TH 166
Theory of Play Production
TH 268
Lighting Technology
TH 393/493
Theatre Lab (Lighting Crew)
TH 368
Stage Lighting
Served on at least two CWU stage lighting crews.
The Master Electrician must register for the appropriate Production Applications [majors &
minors] or Rehearsal and Performance [non-majors] class.
As a student in a Production Application or Rehearsal and Performance class, the Master Electrician is expected to
attend and participate in all class meetings including:
 First class meeting and design presentations
 All scheduled workshops
 Crew run through
 All technical rehearsals and performances
 Strike
 Debriefing
Specific Job Duties (pre-production):
• The Master Electrician must read the script.
• The Master Electrician must attend and participate in all production meetings.
• With the Production Manager, Lighting Designer, Light Shop Supervisor, and Technical Director, the
Master Electrician must help set up a specific schedule for the preparation and execution of all lighting
elements for the show. This schedule should include dates for:
• The inspection and overhaul of all equipment to be used in the show
• The training of board/follow spot/equipment operators
• Deadlines for the purchasing and/or acquisition of needed equipment and lighting supplies
• Dates and times for all light hanging/focusing/cueing
• All technical and dress rehearsals
• Times for performance calls, and strike.
• The Master Electrician must work with the Lighting Designer and Light Shop Supervisor during the design
process to be sure the show can be completed under the allotted budget and schedule. He/she will work
with the production team to resolve possible problems before the show goes into the shop for production.
Consultations should be held as often as needed, but not less than weekly.
• The Master Electrician must obtain a copy of the lighting plot, magic sheet, and all hook-up sheets for the
show from the Lighting Designer. He/she must become thoroughly familiar with the plot and paperwork,
and develop a full understanding of how the design is intended to serve the production. The Master
Electrician must assist the Lighting Designer with producing and maintaining the lighting paperwork, if
requested to do so.
• Working with the Lighting Designer, the Master Electrician will prepare orders for all color media, lamps,
lighting accessories, repair parts, equipment rentals, and all other items needed to execute the lighting for
the production.
• The Master Electrician will process all purchases through the Light Shop Supervisor in a timely fashion to
meet production deadlines. He/she will keep a financial record of all area expenses incurred during the
production and provide all receipts to the Light Shop Supervisor by the Friday of the week in which the
expenses occurred.
• Using the Lighting Designer’s lighting plot, the Master Electrician will prepare a color media list for the
show. He/she will pull the required color from the Department files or prepare and mark new color media
from materials purchased for the production.
• The Master Electrician is responsible for the inspection, repair, and bench focusing and cleaning of all
lighting equipment to be used in the production. He/she will instruct and supervise the maintenance crews,
making sure that everything is ready and in good working order no later than one week before light hang is
scheduled to begin.
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Practicals: The Master Electrician must consult with the Lighting Designer, Scenic Designer, Properties
Master, and/or T.D. on the requirements for practical light sources on the set or special effects lighting
planned for the production. Upon delivery of those items, he/she will provide connectors and wire the units
into the lighting system. (If time permits, the M.E. will provide wiring expertise or crew support to assist
the scene shop or Prop Master with these projects.)
The Master Electrician will work with the Light Shop Supervisor and T.D. in securing crews for light
maintenance, hanging, focusing and running the production. Crew selection should be coordinated with
lighting classes or production assignments. (If crews are not available, he/she must perform the
responsibilities of those crews.)
LBO Training: The Master Electrician is responsible for the training of the Board Operator(s), Follow
spot Operators, and Deck Electricians in the proper and efficient use of the equipment they will be using.
This training must be completed before cue-setting and technical rehearsals begin.
Hanging, Focusing and Cueing:
• After coordinating these schedules with the Lighting Designer and Light Shop Supervisor, he/she will see
that the lighting calls for the show are posted on the electrical shop callboards and reviewed with the shop
electrician and lighting crews. For the crews, schedules should include daily goals.
• The Master Electrician must supervise the work of the hanging and focusing crews. Supervision of the
crews includes proper instruction on all safety practices, how to use lighting equipment and tools, and the
methodology used in hanging and focusing.
• The Master Electrician will make sure that safety cables are used on all lights, that all cables are neatly tied
up and dressed, and that cables laid on the floor or deck are secured and properly covered. The Master
Electrician is responsible to see that the entire lighting plot is hung, cabled, and ready for focusing call on
the scheduled date and time.
• The Master Electrician must sign/initial all hour cards for work done during all lighting calls.
• With the Lighting Designer and Light Shop Supervisor, the Master Electrician will be responsible for the
upkeep, cleanliness, safety and maintenance of all shop areas and equipment, which includes the electrical
room, the lighting control booth, lighting storage areas, grid, the stage and theatre spaces. He/she will
make certain that these areas are clean after every use. These responsibilities include making sure that the
Department policies and procedures, governing the use of these facilities, are strictly followed.
• The Master Electrician will attend run-throughs and rehearsals and meetings as requested by the
Lighting Designer and/or Stage Manager.
• If requested, the Master Electrician will assist the Lighting Designer in setting the light cues or
programming the cues into the lighting control console.
• The Master Electrician will be responsible for setting up all running lights for backstage areas and various
technical rehearsal needs including any tech tables in use and music stand lights required by musicians.
• Prior to Tech., the Master Electrician will be responsible for setting up the lighting table in the audience,
supplying power to it and making sure the sound crew has provided headset communications to the table
and all other lighting positions.
Technical Rehearsals and Performances:
• Pre-show Check: working with the Light Board Operator, the Master Electrician must check all lighting
instruments, lamps, dimmers, spotlights, lighting effects, etc., to be certain that they are in proper working
order, in proper focus and that the color media is intact. These pre-show light checks will be performed on
a daily basis and be completed by a time no less than one hour before the scheduled performance.
• The Master Electrician must attend all technical rehearsals, dress rehearsals and performances and be
present to respond to lighting emergencies. At the end of each performance, he/she will see that all lighting
equipment is properly shut down, including all running lights.
• The Master Electrician will supervise the execution of notes during the tech process.
• The Master Electrician will be responsible for all lighting run crews.
• During the run of the show, the Master Electrician will over-see and/or perform any necessary repairs,
maintenance and adjustments to the lighting for the show.
• The Master Electrician must be present and supervise the strike of all lighting and lighting-related
equipment to the proper storage areas during production strike. He/she will see that everything is put away
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properly and that the lighting control room, storage areas, the electrical room, catwalks, grid, beam area and
lockers are fully cleaned.
The Master Electrician is responsible for the accountability of tools in the electrics area. He/she will
inventory all assigned tools upon assuming M.E. responsibilities and ensure all tools are accounted for at
the conclusion of the production.
The Master Electrician is expected to keep copies and maintain the accuracy of the following:
(1)
Copies of production lighting schedules
(2)
Copies of crew call lists, weekly goal lists and crew instructions
(3)
Copies of purchasing orders/requests
(4)
A copy of the production lighting plot and all lighting paperwork
(5)
Copies of all plans for “practicals” and special lighting effects
(6)
A copy of the show’s “magic sheet” and cue sheets
LIGHTING, LIGHT BOARD OPERATOR - JOB DESCRIPTION
Prerequisite Classroom Studies:
Prerequisite Applied Experiences:
TH 166
Theory of Play Production
TH 268
Lighting Technology
Served on a CWU stage lighting crew.
The Light Board Operator must register for the appropriate Production Application [majors & minors] or Rehearsal
and Performance [non-majors] class.
As a student in a Production Application or Rehearsal and Performance class, the position is expected to attend and
participate in all class meetings including:
 First class meeting and design presentations
 All scheduled workshops
 Crew run through
 All technical rehearsals and performances
 Strike
 Debriefing
This position requires 10 additional practicum hours to be completed in the lighting area before opening night of
the production.
Specific Job Duties (Pre-Production):
• The Light Board Operator must read and become thoroughly familiar with script.
• The Light Board Operator must obtain a copy of the production’s lighting schedule and specifically define
their work calls according to the production calendar.
• With the Lighting Designer and M.E., the Light Board Operator will be responsible for the upkeep,
cleanliness, safety and maintenance of all booth areas and equipment. He/she will make certain that these
areas are clean after every use. These responsibilities include making sure Department policies and
procedures governing the use of these facilities are strictly adhered to.
• The Light Board Operator is responsible for obtaining the necessary training on the proper and efficient use
of the equipment they will be using. Training must be completed before cue-setting and technical
rehearsals, and may be coordinated through the Lighting Designer, Master Electrician or Light Shop
Supervisor.
Hanging, Focus, and Cueing:
• The Light Board Operator will assist the Lighting Designer and Master Electrician with the focus of the
show.
• The Light Board Operator will assist the Lighting Designer in setting the light cues and programming the
cues into the lighting control console prior to the beginning of Technical Rehearsals.
Technical Rehearsals and Performances:
• Calls for Light Board Operators for run-throughs and work sessions will be ½ hour prior, and calls for
technical rehearsals, dress rehearsals and performances no later than 1 hour before the show (or as
determined by the Stage Manager).
• Rehearsal and performance dress code will be determined by the production team and relayed to
the Light Board Operator by the Stage Manager.
• The Light Board Operator must obtain a working knowledge of the lighting plot and be familiar with the
lighting instruments and set-up for the show so they can assist the Master Electrician in making repairs or
adjustments as needed or requested.
• Pre-show Check: Working with the Stage Manager and Master Electrician, the Light Board Operator
must check all lighting instruments, lamps, dimmers, spotlights, lighting effects, etc., to be certain that they
are in proper working order, in proper focus, and that the color media is intact. These pre-show light
checks will be performed on a daily basis and be completed by a time no less than one hour before the
scheduled performance.
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The Light Board Operator must work all technical rehearsals, dress rehearsals, and performances, executing
all lighting cues for the production as called by the Stage Manager and established by the Director and
Lighting Designer. At the end of each performance, he/she will see that all lighting equipment is properly
shut down, including all of the running lights.
The Light Board Operator must attend and participate in production photo calls, as listed on the production
calendar.
The Light Board Operator must be present and participate in the strike of all lighting and lighting-related
equipment during production strike. He/she will see that everything is put away properly and that the
lighting control room and storage areas are fully cleaned.
Compile the following information:
(1)
Copies of the production lighting schedule
(2)
A copy of the show’s “magic sheet”
LIGHTING, FOLLOWSPOT OPERATOR - JOB DESCRIPTION
Prerequisite Classroom Studies:
Prerequisite Applied Experiences:
TH 166
Theory of Play Production
TH 268
Lighting Technology
Served on a CWU stage lighting crew.
The Spotlight Operator must register for the appropriate Production Application [majors & minors] or Rehearsal
and Performance [non-majors] class.
As a student in a Production Application or Rehearsal and Performance class, the Followspot Operator is expected
to attend and participate in all class meetings including:
 First class meeting and design presentations
 All scheduled workshops
 Crew run through
 All technical rehearsals and performances
 Strike
 Debriefing
This position requires 15 additional practicum hours to be completed in the lighting area before opening night of
the production.
Specific Job Duties (Pre Production):
• The Followspot Operator must read and become thoroughly familiar with script.
• The Followspot Operator must obtain a copy of the production’s lighting schedule and specifically define
their work calls according to the production calendar.
• The Followspot Operator is responsible for obtaining the necessary training on the proper and efficient use
of the equipment they will be using. Training must be completed before cue-setting and technical
rehearsals, and may be coordinated through the Lighting Designer, Master Electrician or Faculty Lighting
Designer.
• Calls for Followspot Operators for run-throughs and work sessions will be ½ hour prior, and calls for
technical rehearsals, dress rehearsals and performances no later than 1 hour before the show (or as
determined by the Stage Manager).
• Rehearsal and performance dress code will be determined by the production team and relayed to
the Followspot Operator by the Stage Manager.
• With the Lighting Designer and M.E., the Followspot Operator will be responsible for the upkeep,
cleanliness, safety and maintenance of all follow spot equipment. He/she will make certain that these areas
are clean after every use. These responsibilities include adherence to the Department policies and
procedures governing the use of facilities.
• Following Paper Tech, the Followspot Operator will review the lighting cue and magic sheets in
consultation with the Lighting Designer and Stage Manager.
• The Followspot Operator must obtain a working knowledge of the lighting plot and be familiar with the
lighting instruments and set-up for the show so they can assist the Master Electrician in making repairs or
adjustments as needed or requested.
• Pre-show Check: Working with the Stage Manager and Master Electrician, the Followspot Operator must
check all lighting instruments, to be certain that they are in proper working order and that the color media is
intact. These pre-show light checks will be performed on a daily basis and be completed by a time no less
than one hour before the scheduled performance.
• The Followspot Operator must work all technical rehearsals, dress rehearsals, and performances, executing
all lighting cues for the production as called by the Stage Manager and established by the Director and
Lighting Designer. At the end of each performance, he/she will see that all lighting equipment is properly
shut down, including all of the running lights.
• The Followspot Operator must attend and participate in production photo calls, as listed on the production
calendar.
• Compile the following information:
(1)
Copies of the production lighting schedule
(2)
Copies of all follow spot cue sheets