Read the script twice, once to get an overview of the story, then a second time to note with a pencil in the margin where you think lighting changes occur so a lighting cue is needed. –
3 hours
Meet with the Director to find out if they have any specific ideas on how the production should look. Discus your thoughts on how you would like to light the production. The Director may not have much knowledge of stage lighting, so explain what it can do for the production.
1 hours
Attend a Production Meeting, find out what interaction there is with Sound and Video. What impact will the set design have on your lighting, check with the Stage Manager on how scene changes will occur, check the actors blocking to see what areas of the stage need to be lit, when. Get a copy of the production schedule.
3 hours
Prepping Lighting, may include cleaning, testing and Tagging, testing data cables. Allow 10 minutes per fixture or conventional lights. Basic or Square one rig is 27 lights, so allow 6 hours with no problems .
6 hours
Rigging, Focusing, Plotting, allow 30 minutes per light.
6 hours
First Half Run is where you can see blockings and get an idea of timings.
2 hours
Second Half Run is where you can see blockings and get an idea of timings.
2 hours
Full Run Rehearsal is where you can see blockings and get an idea of timings.
3 hours
Tech & Full Dress Rehearsal
A Technical Rehearsal is where all aspects of a production run together to see how the production looks. It is where timings need to be checked for access to props, costume changes, scene changes, lighting, sound, video cues, special effects. A prompt is needed as the actors dialogue is only top and tailed to check cues.
A Full Dress Rehearsal is where the full show is run to check all aspects of the production and may have a standard interval time to check total running time.
Tech Rehearsal – 4 hours.
Full Dress Rehearsal – 2 hours
Preview Night – 3 hours
Opening Night – 3 hours
page updated 6 October 2023