LIGHTING DESIGN

Theater 361
FALL 2019

Theater 361 is an introduction to the art of lighting design and an exploration of light as a medium for expression. Although there is
an introduction to the technical aspects of design for the stage, strong emphasis is placed on developing an ability to “see” light in
new ways, both natural and artificial, and the role light plays in the overall composition of the visual world of theater.

The course includes the following objectives:

• To develop an understanding of what light is and what it does
• To become familiar with the tools that a lighting designer uses to create various lighting effects
• To develop an ability to observe and duplicate environmental lighting
• To learn to read and analyze a script from a lighting designers’ perspective
• To make choices for the lighting of a production based on the analysis of the script and research
• To be able to understand and draft a light plot and prepare accompanying paperwork for a theatrical production
• To develop a common language with which to communicate your artistic vision
• To discover for yourself the joy of lighting

Penny Remsen
Office #111
Remsen@theater.umass.edu

Michael Dubin
Office #32 (across from the green room and next to the elevator)
mad1@umass.edu
545-9564
JOURNALS
Once each week, describe in detail the lighting in nature. Include the date and time of day, weather conditions, and the location of your
observations. Look for: how the highlight and shadow reveals the form of objects, begin to notice how colors change at different times of the
day and under different weather conditions and seasons, and finally write down your impressions of how you feel observing the light. Be as
poetic as you like.

SEVEN DEADLY SINS

Tell a theatrical story using the SIN through light. Use whatever sound, costumes, props or scenic pieces you need. Before the project
describe how you have envisioned the theatrical scene in detail. Group project.
Pride is excessive belief in one's own abilities that interferes with the individual's recognition of the grace of God. It has been called the sin
from which all others arise. Pride is also known as Vanity.
Envy is the desire for others' traits, status, abilities, or situation.
Gluttony is an inordinate desire to consume more than that which one requires.
Lust is an inordinate craving for the pleasures of the body.
Anger is manifested in the individual who spurns love and opts instead for fury. It is also known as Wrath.
Greed is the desire for material wealth or gain, ignoring the realm of the spiritual. It is also called Avarice or Covetousness.
Sloth is the avoidance of physical or spiritual work.

LIGHTING DESIGN PAPER PROJECT FOR

QUIXOTE NUEVO
This project will include the following items:
• scene breakdown
• lighting analysis
• 1/2” light plot
• 1/2” CL section with masking if required
• 1/2” working sections and front elevations
• groundplan with areas
• final channel hookup
• magic sheet

MUSICAL/CUEING
Design the lighting for a musical of your group’s choice. You will need to create the lighting environment for ONE song from the musical.
This should not be an abstract light show, but must be based on a point of view and on the human being in an environment of light on the
stage. Focus is on the cueing process. Bring whatever music/sound effects, costumes, props, or scenic pieces you need. Group project.
September

QUIXOTE NUEVO
SEPTEMBER 22ND @ 7:30PM
By Octavio Solis
Directed by KJ Sanchez
A reimagining of Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes
Quixote Nuevo is produced in association with Huntington Theatre Company and Alley Theatre.
Quixote Nuevo is set in the fictional modern-day border town of La Plancha, Texas, where Don Quixote loses
himself in stories of chivalrous escapades and embarks upon a quest of imagination, adventure, and Tejano
music. Along the way he recruits a hapless but trusty sidekick in his search for lost love. As the community
wrestles with containing Quixote’s fantasies, he, his family and friends discover the joys and perils of being the
hero of your own story.
Ticket price $20.00 Approximate Running Time
2 hours and 30 minutes with one 15-minute intermission
SEPTEMBER
3 Introduction
5 Qualities and functions of light
10 Preparation and analysis
12 The Light Plot, Hookup, Magic Sheet and Cue List
17 The Tools: units
19 The Tools: units
22 SUNDAY QUIXOTE NUEVO at Hartford Stage, 7:30p.m. $20.00 per ticket
24 The Tools: units and control
26 *** Four (4) journals due

OCTOBER
1 Composition: methods of lighting the stage *** Quixote lighting analysis and scene breakdown due
3 Composition: methods of lighting the stage
8 Composition: methods of lighting the stage
10
11 Open BALTIMORE
15 NO CLASS (MONDAY CLASS SCHEDULE)
17 SEVEN DEADLY SINS—groups one and two
22 SEVEN DEADLY SINS—groups three and four
24 SEVEN DEADLY SINS —groups five and six *** Four (4) journals due
29 Recreate a painting in the lab
31 Recreate a painting in the lab

NOVEMBER
5 Developing the design
7 Developing the design
8 Open BACCHAE
12 Drafting the plot *** Quixote lighting key and rough channel hookup due
14 Drafting the plot
19 Drafting the plot
21 Drafting the plot *** Four (4) journals due

DECEMBER
3 Musical/cueing project—groups one and two
5 Musical/cueing project—groups three and four
10 Musical/cueing project—groups five and six
 PRODUCTION ASSIGNMENT
PLEASE READ BALTIMORE
Students will sign up and commit to specific dates/times

BALTIMORE lighting hang

One 4-5 hour session
Friday September 20 between 9:00am and 6:00pm
or
Saturday September 21 between 9:00am and 6:00pm

BALTIMORE lighting focus

One 4-5 hour session
Monday September 30 between 9:00am and 11:59pm
or
Tuesday October 1 between 5:00pm and 11:00pm
or
Wednesday October 2 between 9:00am and 8:00pm
 GRADE BREAKDOWN

A B C D F
100-92 88-82 78-72 68-60 59-0

JOURNALS 10 points

SEVEN DEADLY SINS 20 points

Quixote 40 points

MUSICAL/CUEING 20

PRODUCTION ASSIGNMENT 10 points

Class attendance is mandatory

Please refer to the UMass Amherst Academic Regulations Handbook for the University’s policy on attendance.

All assignments will be evaluated on your ideas and how they are explored.
No assignments will be accepted after the due date