Converse regularly with the show's director and producers, to understand their expectations of your lighting design. Familiarizing yourself with the company of actors and fellow designers will also support the quality of your work. Ascertain your budget and resources, as well as basic details about the production. Plan your load-in schedule early; this is a theater term that describes the stipulations of when you can begin designing lighting cues in the actual theater space.
Above all else, strong lighting design ensures that an audience can clearly see and identify a story's points of focus. These include the actors and important set pieces. Effective lighting also makes sure that those watching are not distracted by inessential components; consult your director to decide what to de-emphasize. In theater, lighting helps to assist the transitions between scenes. Look to the production's script to determine the nature of these changes in the story.
Lighting designers use a script to develop ideas and plans for their illuminating work. Analyze the scenes after several readings of the play to brainstorm ideas to share with your director. To light simply yet strongly, designers use a plot of the set to maintain focus on their work. The plot illustrates where lighting tools can be hung and implemented above the stage. Also used is a "magic sheet," which indicates the direction of potential lighting cues.
As the time for the "load-in" arrives, triple-check to ensure that all of your tools and devices are prepared and ready to be assembled in the set. Schedule how, where, and when each component of your lighting scheme will be incorporated into the theater. Once the load-in is completed, the technical rehearsal will likely take place soon. This important event takes place before the dress rehearsal and guarantees the workability of the show's technical aspects. Keep a focused calm during this often hectic part of the production process.