An overview of lighting and sound design and history in theatre.

1. Learning Objectives
• Describe how lighting and sound design contribute to the
theatrical power of a play or musical.
• Apply the terms and vocabulary to specific examples of live
theatre to identify and differentiate the effects of lights or
sound on a production.
• Discuss the tools and processes that lighting and sound
designers use to accomplish their art.
• Discuss the contributions made by other technical
personnel to a theatrical production.

2. Key Concepts
• Designers rely more and more on new technologies in their
work.
• For nearly 2,000 years, theatrical lighting remained fairly
static, utilizing natural light, candles, and oil lamps.
• The advent of the use of gas, electricity, and computers
during the past two centuries revolutionized stage lighting.
• The craft of the lighting designer goes far beyond ensuring
visibility.

3. Key Concepts
• Because the work of the lighting designer often unifies
all aspects of the production, it is similar to that of the
director.
• The growing use of recorded and amplified sound in
the theatre has increased the need for sound
designers, as well as the complexity of their job.
• The “glue” that holds the work of the designers
together—as well as other members of the production
team—is the stage manager and the technical director

4. Lighting and Sound Design
• Applies the same visual elements and
principles of design as set and costume design
• Constantly working with new technology
• Typically the last elements added to a show
during production

5. Lighting Design:
Some History
In Ancient Greece and Elizabethan England, there was no ability to light stages. But the Greeks
probably used the natural lighting to coincide with specific moments in the play.

6. Lighting Design:
Some History
Footlights and Chandeliers were added as part of the first attempts to control lighting, first as
candles and then powered by oil.

7. Lighting Design:
Some History
Candle and oil lighting caused some interesting problems.

8. Lighting Design:
Some History
In 1816, gas ighting fixtures began to be used in Philadelphia. The rest of the world quickly
followed. This allowed technicians to control light by regulating the flow of gas

9. Lighting Design:
Some History
Above: 1) Limestones, 2) Gas lighter, 3) Gas container with bag and pressure valve, 4) Gas
pressure gauges and regulators

10. Lighting Design:
Some History
Gas lighting was also responsible for approx. 100 theatres burning down between 1800 – 1900.

11. Lighting Design:
Some History
In 1881, the Savoy Theatre in London becomes the first to fully integrate an electric lighting

12. Lighting Design:
Some History
Technology continues to develop, allowing greater control over lighting as it continues to be an
important form of artistic expression.

13. Lighting Design:
Some History
Intelligent lights can be programmed to change direction, intensity, color, etc. They can also
be programmed to “listen” to music, and respond accordingly to pre-set patterns,

14. Lighting Design:
The Job(s) - Visibility
Farewell to Cannibal Rage, 2009

15. Lighting Design:
The Job(s) – Mass, Form, and Texture
Bus Stop

16. Lighting Design:
The Job(s) - Focus
Marcus: Or, the Secret of Sweet

17. Lighting Design:
The Job(s) – Creation of Mood
La Reve

18. Lighting Design:
The Job(s) – Establish Environment and
Atmosphere
Apple Store, Chicago. All Apple Store lighting is copyright Sylvia Bistrong. This, as you may
imagine, made her a millionaire several times over.

19. Lighting Design
The Job(s) – Rhythm of Visual
Movement
Hand-Picked Dress dance concert

20. Lighting Design
The Job(s) – Special Effects and
Practicals
Wicked

21. Lighting Design
Instruments
Fresnel – gives a soft edge to the light
Elliposidal – provides a sharper, more defined edge

22. Lighting Design:
Instruments
Follow Spots – man operated lights which provide
specific bright lights, usually for one individual
Scoop lights – technically ellipsoidals, these lights
provide a large, undefined wash of light for covering
large areas

23. Lighting Design:
Instruments
Gobos: Stencils cut into metal plates which provide specific patterning (As above, snowflakes)
for light
Gels: placed in front of lamps to filter light, providing
Specific colors on stage.

24. Sound Design:
Some History
Greeks built theatres into hillsides, taking advantage of inherent acoustics.

25. Sound Design:
Some History
Greek masks were built with acoustic radiation in mind for performance. Note the microphone
shape of the mouth above.

26. Sound Design:
Some History
Elizabethan audiences went to “hear”, not “see” a play.

27. Sound Design:
Some History
“

28. Sound Design:
Some History
Today we use a mixture of live and pre-recorded sounds during performances, many of which
are run through a computer.

29. Sound Design:
The Job(s)

30. Sound Design:
Instruments
Many plays and musicals use body mics for amplification.
Sound boards can be as complicated
As lighting board.
Floor mics are designed to have a
Very low profile.
Small, thin area mics are often hung from the ceiling.

31. Sound Design
• Sound is incredibly important to theatre
– Helps define mood
– Helps set location
– Informs the audience how to feel