Request a ground plan and "rep plot" from the venue where the light show will be. A ground plan shows the architecture of the theater, while the "rep plot," short for the repertory light plot, shows where the light fixtures normally hang and where each pipe, truss, catwalk or other hanging position lies over the stage.
Draw your own ground plan and hanging positions if the venue does not have one for you. To do this, measure each dimension of the stage with a tape measure and draw it out on a large sheet of paper so either 1/4 or 1/2 inch equals every foot. Drawing in 1/2-inch scale will allow you more room for detail, while 1/4 inch scale can fit on a smaller sheet of paper. Use a ruler or architectural scale stick to make your drawing accurate.
Place a large sheet of vellum over your rep plot and tape it in place.
Trace the lines for each pipe or other light-hanging position onto the vellum. Vellum is stiffer and thicker than tracing paper but allows you to see through. Draw the hanging positions directly on the vellum if you don't have a rep plot to work from.
Remove the vellum from the rep plot and tape it to the ground plan so the lighting positions line up over the stage as they would in real life.
Determine where you want to place each light in relation to the stage, and then lay a lighting design template, also called a field template, over the drawing area that represents that space.
Trace the light's shape onto your vellum in the correct position. Mechanical pencils work best, as you can run them around the inner edge of the template figures while keeping them tight to the edge, due to the straight lead.
Trace a light shape onto your vellum to represent the type and position of each light. Position the shape so the front of the light aims in the general direction the light will point onstage. The template will have different shapes for different types of lights.
Trace the shape of each new light type on one of the lower corners of your plot each time you add a new type of light. Label this additional shape with the light type, such as "6-inch Fresnel" or "PAR 64," to create a legend for your plot. The template should label the shapes for common light types. If not, use the one that looks most similar to your fixture.
Complete the drawing by adding every light you will use for the show.
Add a number representing the gel (color filter) you plan to use for each light. Write this next to the front end of each light. For example, if you are using LEE brand gel number 106 (dark red), write "L106" in front of the light. For Rosco brand 26 (the same dark red), write "R26" in that position. Write "n/c" for "no color" on any lights that will remain uncolored. This lets the setup crew know that you didn't forget to add a color notation.
Place the number representing the control channel for each light in a circle just behind each fixture. For example, if you want to control two different lights using channel 1 on your light board, write and circle the number 1 behind both of those lights.
Write the circuit number or number and letter combination for each light behind the channel number and box it in with a square, triangle or hexagon to differentiate it from the channel. The circuit is the outlet into which the light plugs. If your paperwork from the venue does not give you the circuit layout, leave this area blank and have the crew fill it in as each light gets plugged in.
Check your work to make sure each light is in the proper position with the right color and channel notations.
Add shapes for barn doors or top hats (add-on units to control the flow of light) from your template, if necessary.
Add a small dot inside any light fixture that will get a pattern inserted. Patterns are also called gobos. Next to the fixture, note the name and number of the pattern.