9.9.10.4

lighting design research

found a book, theatre buildings a design guide, (edited) by judith strong (british book so it might have different standards/practices than the united states?). currently researching lighting design/accessibility within the auditorium/house. other groups are taking the stage lighting access, other types of research.

we are more interested in creating a space for teaching/learning technical theater/set/tech design (at least this is what the competition brief tells me) so the question right now (during the research phase) is:

what are the necessities for this environment?

current research points:

"the most restrictive spaces are ones where the lights are supposed to be out of sight. hiding lanterns, especially in the auditorium, often prevents them actually seeing the stage in the way a lighting designer requires. it is much better to give the designer a large choice of positions, some of which will not be used all the time, and could be removable, than to limit the angles available" -paule constable, lighting designer (strong 123)

question posed: does hiding the lighting system within the house limit the audience's experience? which is better for designer? is this aesthetic sacrifice necessary? does our current place embrace both the theater, the set design, and the architectural design? must we hide the lighting? should we hide the lighting? should we showcase the lighting?

lighting within the auditorium proper:

• box booms
• slots
• advance bar
• high front light
• lighting bridges
• slips (high sides)
• circle fronts
• bars in circle ceiling
• additional auditorium positions and temporary cable routes
• followspot positions

my current position: there is only so much the architect can do. lighting design is DESIGN, so there must be concessions made from time to time. we try to accommodate as many situations as possible, but a creative design is, in fact, creative, and will have to come up with some creative solutions from time to time. simultaneously, we must anticipate several lighting angles and be aware of the amount of work it takes to position these lights and provide appropriate accessibility.

last, but not least: control room position. back of the auditorium/mid auditorium (dependent on show)/other location?

must have:

• clear line of sight
• acoustic protection as much as possible
• acceptable lighting for during the performance plus out of performance task lighting
• appropriate seating/during-show access/egress
• safety egress