Community Theatres do not have the budgets of commercial theatres but have to choose from the same range of lighting, so need to choose LED fixtures that will suit their venue and are good value for their price.
An examination of the business case may determine that the upgrade to an LED lighting rig will reduce bumpin and bumpout times, which will reduce the workload on club volunteers, as well as allowing for different shows on consecutive nights. The provision of moving head LED zoom wash fixtures will eliminate a lot of rigging and focusing, which will improve workplace safety.
GRANTS
Arts Projects for Individuals and Groups https://www.cits.wa.gov.au/funding/creative-industries-funding/arts-projects-for-individuals-and-groups
City of Stirling Community Grants Program https://www.stirling.wa.gov.au/community-support/community-grants-program
lotterywest Grants https://www.lotterywest.wa.gov.au/grants/about-lotterywest-grants
Department of Communities Grants Programs https://www.wa.gov.au/organisation/department-of-communities/department-of-communities-grants-programs
City of Swan https://www.swan.wa.gov.au/services-and-community/community-grants-and-funding
Bendigo Bank Community Grant Program https://www.bendigobank.com.au/siteassets/branchassets/communitycompanies/beaufortcommunityfinancialserviceslimited/sponsorshipsgrants/how-to-apply—grant.pdf
These are some of the grants that may be available
The data sheet for existing conventional lighting is the starting point for working out a replacement LED fixture. The Selecon Compact Fresnel is typical of 1000W fresnels used in medium size theatres.
Beam Angle is important, most community theatres use wide Beam Angles, this has 7 to 50 degrees.
Size is 320mm L x 280mm W x 320mm H including yoke. Some smaller community theatres only have space for smaller fresnel.
Photometric Data or light ouput. The distance from the light in the rig to the actor is about 4m, which is about 1000 Lux at Flood focus.
My rule of thumb is 1:5 so at least a 200W LED fixture to replace a 1000W conventional fixture using subtractive Gels.
The data sheet for the ShowPro Silver Start LED Fresnel 250 Hex show a beam angle of 60 degrees which is wider than needed, but this is easily manualy adjusted.
Intensity is approximately 675 Lux at 60 degrees Flood Focus. Reducing the Beam size or angle will increase the light intensity to similar to the Selecon Compact fresnel.
LED theatre lighting uses an Additive process, so that percentages of each colour LED emitter are output as a colour, depending on what Colour is selected for the fixture. This is why a 250W LED fixture can be brighter than a conventional light fixture that is using a saturated colour filter or gel.
to see how Colour Mixing works, go to https://scenicandlighting.com/colorlab/ Matt kizer’s Color Lab , where you can mix R + G + B to make white.
See https://blog.etcconnect.com/stage-lighting-design-part-6 for a more detailed explanation.
The Ben Stowe’s RGBAW Color Mixing Chart https://www.nlfxpro.com/ben-stowes-rgbaw-color-mixing-chart/ shows the amount of colour from the five emitters used to create a colour. These values are in DMX, 0 – 255 which is also 0 – 100%
Conventional lighting uses theatre gels in a subtractive process, where unwanted colour is absorbed or blocked by a lighting gel, which reduces the light output, or intensity of the fixture.
TYPES OF LED THEATRE LIGHTS and Their PROPERTIES
LED PROFILES
LED FRESNEL’s
LED CYCLORAMA LIGHTS
LED PAR LIGHTS
LED PARS
LED ZOOM PARS
LED ZOOM WASH MOVERS
LED MOVING HEAD PROFILES
LED BAR LIGHTS
CONVENTIONAL LIGHTS
Acclaim Axial Zoomspot
DIMMERS
The Old Mill Theatre has two LSC Redback 2RU dimmers that have a RELAY mode that can turn channels On when the dimmer level goes above 4% and Off when the dimmer level goes below 2%.
DMX POWER CONTROL
The Old Mill Theatre uses a Theatrelight Contact 12 to switch power to LED fixtures and provide DMX controlled switches.
Power Distribution
This spread sheet shows what lights are connected to which power circuit and the current drawn on each circuit.
LIGHTING CONTROL
lightfactory
The Old Mill Theatre uses lightfactory running on a PC for lighting control. In addition to controlling the theatre lighting, lightfactory also provides video playback and sound playback. https://www.lifact.com/
LIGHTING DESKS
The Zero88 FLXS48 ( now Vari-Lite) is used in schools and community theatres around Perth. https://www.vari-lite.com/global/products/flx-s48 This desk provides easier access to lights and quicker plotting but does not have video or sound options. You need to use with programs such as SCS Show Cue Systems to automate shows. https://www.showcuesystems.com/cms/
Show Cue Systems
TESTING and TAGGING
Testing of appliances and equipment
https://www.worksafe.wa.gov.au/system/files/migrated/sites/default/files/atoms/files/guide-testing-and-tagging-portable-electrical-equipment-and-residual-current-devices.pdf
Testing of all electrical appliances or equipment must be carried out by appropriately qualified persons who have undertaken the necessary training by a training organisation.
Testing of equipment used at a place of work or public place or those offered for hire is detailed in the Australian Standard AS 3760-2003: “In-service safety inspection and testing of electrical equipment”. This has to be purchased from Standards Australia.
It is recommended that the person doing the testing provides some evidence, such as a label or sticker, to be attached to the appliance/equipment to verify that the appliance/equipment has been checked and tested and is safe to use. This label/sticker should state the date that the appliance/equipment was tested, the relevant Australian standard to which it was tested and signature of the person who carried out the checking and testing.
Note: Most repairs to electrical appliances must only be carried out by an appropriately qualified person.
There is a common misconception that you must be an electrician to test and tag. However, according to AS/NZS 3760:2010, someone who is considered a ‘Competent Person’ is also able to test and tag in Australia. This is achieved by undertaking a test and tag course, where that person acquires the knowledge and skills in learning to use a PAT tester. The committee responsible for the theatre needs to ensure the person proves their competency and keeps a record of it.
Old Mill Theatre Stage Layout Feb 2025
