Not only is this Theatre Lighting Workshop being run to support our own directors and technicians, we’re also extending the opportunity for all who are interested in theatre lighting to learn from one of Perth’s most experienced Lighting experts – Don Allen.
This lighting workshop is being held to show directors and lighting technicians the features of the new LED lighting rig installed in January 2026, when the Old Mill Theatre converted from Conventional lights to LED lights. OMT upgraded our lighting rig to LED fixtures in January this year, to allow for easier lighting for the diverse formats of shows at OMT.
It also gives anyone curious about theatre lighting an opportunity to come to play.
Please go to How To Do It menu for links to Matt Kizer video and other introductory resources. https://www.theatrelightingworkshops.com/lighting-design-mccandless-method/
There will be access to Matt Kizer’s Lighting Lab.
Notes for Workshop
Outside the theatre weather permitting.
Analysis of Natural Light
Direction of lighting source – caution not to look directly at the sun.
Intensity look at direct sunshine, reflected light, shadows for natural objects such as trees, reflections from buildings.
Shape – look at shadow outlines of buildings, shadows under trees.
Colour – direct sunlight full spectrum, reflected light affected by pigments.
movement – look under trees, reflection from car windows.
Stand group in a circle, see different light and shadows going around the circle. Tell the time like a sundial. Rotate circle 180 degrees to show difference in shadows. Explain how this change of time can be recreated on stage.
Inside the Theatre
Matt Kizer video and other introductory resources. https://www.theatrelightingworkshops.com/lighting-design-mccandless-method/
Inside the Theatre
Move onto the stage, stand in stage positions. Have lights set to 10% so participants can see which light is pointing directly at them.
Take seats in auditorium, invite people to sit near the Plotting table to see Light Factory on the laptop. Mention that you should check from all corners of auditorium seating for lighting results. The importance of plotting lighting from the Audience seating area, not from the Bio Box.
Explain lighting infrastructure, DMX cables to plotting table, DMX splitters on stage. DMX and power to underneath of stage for footlights. Plotting table, desk lamp. Monitor extension lead and wireless keyboard/mouse.
Show what a Wash is , then show each light individually to show isolation and direction of light
Cyclorama – explain how even lighting is, demonstrate how colours can convey atmosphere, location, scene such as neutral room, bedroom. Show step chase and flow chase which are useful for musicals.
Cyclorama upstage profile lights to light actors standing up against the cyclorama.
Mid stage traveller – show 6 LED Pars for pseudo cyc wash.
Door and window specials. How they help improve a lighting design.
Sidelights – There are six TourPro Zoom Wash Juniors rigged as sidelights and four Selecon Acclaim LED fresnel’s ridded as side specials. Show how colour from the side adds dimension and atmosphere to a scene.
FOH profiles for stage apron lighting.
Gobos – demonstrate how gobos provide sense of location
Restaurant Scene
Position table – MSL ?
Sit two actors at table with unlit LED candle in centre of table. In blackout, light LED candle. Show isolation with key light, then add fill, then backlight. Show how breakup gobos can provide sense of location such as outdoors. Show table lit with just zoom wash.
Bedroom Scene
Show how to isolate bed from table, use midstage traveller cyc wash to add colour to black curtains.
Outdoor Park Scene
Show how to build the scene using gobos for ground texture, overhead backlights to add outdoor sky on heads, sidelights for ambience.
Page updated 29 May 2026.