What is the lighting designer's process?

Lighting designers go through a similar process as the other members of the design team; however, their contribution comes later in the production process, and many of their choices are dependent on the set and costume design. Lighting designers first read the text and think about what kinds of design elements the production requires, such as specific indications of time and place and any important references to light and its influence on the characters and the mood of the play. They make note of any motivated light cuessuch as a lamp being turned onin the text. Lighting designers then meet with the director and discuss the director's vision for the production, desired special effects, and the way lighting will function to tell the story or express the concept. They then do research on historical period and previous productions for inspiration for their designs. They keep apprised of the development of costumes and sets, and watch rehearsals and run-throughs of a show to get a good sense of the placement and movement of the actors on stage so they know how the lights should follow the action. The designer then creates a light plota blueprint of the stage and auditorium with the lighting gridthat marks the location of each light to be used and an instrument schedule that lists each instrument by its number and specifies its location, its purpose, the wattage, the color of the gel. Once the set and costumes are complete, the show is blocked, and the master electrician and crew have hung the lights, lighting designers focus the lights in the theatre and set the final levels.