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How to Make Lightning for a Play

Theatrical props are designed to enhance the performance and blend into the show. Props help set the mood and tone of each scene, as well as serve as objects for the characters on stage to interact with. Lightning as it occurs naturally makes a sharp cracking noise--called thunder--as it streaks brightly across the sky, so producing fake lightning for the theater takes a combination of visual and auditory mechanics.

Things You'll Need

  • Strobe light
  • 2-inch by 4-inch piece of wood
  • Sawhorse
  • Handsaw
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Instructions

  1. Preparing the Wood Prior to Production

    • 1

      Place the 2-inch by 4-inch piece of wood horizontally across the sawhorse.

    • 2

      Hold the 2-inch by 4-inch piece of wood steady with one hand.

    • 3

      Pick up the handsaw with your other hand and cut the 2-inch by 4-inch wood in half.

    Making Lightning During Production

    • 4

      Position yourself with the strobe light and 2-inch by 4-inch halves to the side of the stage. You will remain unseen, but the strobe light will be visible to the audience.

    • 5

      Plug the strobe light into an outlet.

    • 6

      Switch the strobe light on when the lightning is queued. Simultaneously slap the 2-inch by 4-inch halves together a single time to simulate a thunderclap.

    • 7

      Switch the strobe light off.

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