A fully functional stage lighting setup will have at least some lights, and a light board connected to the lights by DMX cabling. Small but functional stage lighting can be achieved with a few well-placed lights. Larger venues may have hundreds of lights, including special effects lights that shape, color and move lights around.
Lights are usually colored by sheets of plastic called gels. Gels got their name because they were originally made of gelatin, which has fallen out of use because of its lack of durability. An industry standard manufacturer for gels and stage-lighting technology and accessories is Rosco.
Improvisational venues may have a directed spotlight, which is operated by a spotlight operator who trains it on the appropriate spot during the stage performance.
A light-board operator, referred to as an LBO, is responsible for running the lightboard during rehearsals and performances. After the lighting designer's plan is put into place by the lighting crew, a light board operator will work with the designer to program the lighting designs into the system through a light board. Each lighting scheme, called a "look," is programmed into the light board in sequence and saved to a disk. After programming the show into the light board, the light-board operator is then responsible for executing the light looks at the proper times during the show.
A stage lighting setup usually has a stage lighting designer working independently from the crew, which produces CAD-type representations of the lighting schematics so the lights can be hung to hit the correct places on the stage. The stage lighting plan also details the color and type of effects to be used in each light. Vectorworks is a lighting design program that helps you make a CAD-style lighting blueprint specialized for stage use.
Another important job in lighting design is the master electrician, who ensures that proper outlets and power are available, and that lights are properly and safely hung and tethered. Lighting design uses heavy, high voltage equipment, which can be dangerous if it is not properly powered and secured. A master electrician is responsible for the safety and integrity of the electrical system.
Finally, a lighting design plan needs a lighting crew to set it up. A lighting crew prepares lighting color sheets-- the gels--sizing them for use in the right lights. A lighting crew will also focus lights for a production. When you focus lights, you make final adjustments to the direction and properties of the light for use in the stage production. A lighting crew is also charged with making sure that all lights are securely hung and tethered and that all cords are safely secured.