These lighting fixtures do not move once hung. Three main types are in use: ellipsoidal reflector spotlights, Fresnels and PAR cans. Lighting designers typically use Fresnels and PAR cans for general washes of areas of the stage, while they use ERSs for more focused lighting areas, harsh cuts in the edges of lighting, as opposed to rounded edges, and specialized lighting effects.
Follow spots, or spotlights, are freestanding lights that require an operator to use. The light is high-powered and has a focused beam that the operator can move around the stage. The operator primarily uses them to highlight performers and these lights are usually located at the rear, highest point in the performance space.
Striplights are a row of floodlights lighting designers combine and use at the edges or front of the stage to provide a general wash of light. Striplights hold several different colors of gels to provide different colored washes at a moment's notice. Lighting designers typically use them with cycloramas, in dance theaters or in older auditoriums.
Dimmers are electrical devices that control the amount of electrical power received by each individual lighting instrument. As the power increases, the intensity of the light produced increases proportionally. The theater stores dimmers in large racks, and may have multiple sets of dimmers depending on the number of lighting instruments it needs to control.
Lighting control panels, or light boards, are computer boards that allow the lighting designer to program specific lighting cues, indicating which lights are on at what intensity and the fade times between different lighting tools. The control panel allows lighting designers to record cues for use in performance.
Gels are colored materials placed in lights to provide color to the light on stage. Gels are most commonly made of plastic. Glass gels are also available, although they are more expensive. Lighting operators insert gels into the front of lights in gel frames. Gels come in thousands of colors and textures to disperse light at the desired frequency.
Gobos are pieces of metal or glass that lighting operators can insert into some lights, such as an ERS, to produce a textured design of shadow on the stage. They are usually round in shape and the operator inserts them into a gobo holder before placing them in the light.