Lighting Designer

Job Duties

A lighting designer (abbreviated to LD) works closely with the scenic and costume designers to create a cohesive world onstage. They answer to the director and make their vision come to life, relying on lighting technicians to implement the design.

Before starting a new design the LD must read the script and identify which staging areas are lit, and how to convey a sense of mood and movement throughout the show. They will attend production meetings and work closely with the director, set and costume designers to create a lighting design that complements the other scenic elements.

The LD is responsible for creating all of the design paperwork, including the plot for the lighting crew, which they use to hang the lighting system often before the designer even arrives at the venue. After ensuring the lighting positions are correct and the set is installed, the lighting crew will focus each light under the direct guidance of the lighting designer. The head lighting technician or board programmer will then work with the lighting designer to record the show cues on a lighting console. Once all of the cues are recorded, the lighting designer will hand over a detailed cue list to the stage manager to copy into their calling script. This ensures the stage manager will call the right cues at the right time, based on dialogue or performer actions. Any final changes to these cues are made during tech and dress rehearsals. Although the lighting designer may be asked to update paperwork or adapt the design for different venues, the designer's job is typically done when the show opens. The lighting rig is maintained by the lighting technicians and the stage manager will continue to call cues as per the original design.

Show contracts for designers will often overlap, so they need to learn to balance the workload of multiple shows all at once. While they may be in the middle of tech week for one production, they also need to be researching for their next show during that time.