What Does a Lighting Design Thespy Entry Involve?
For a Lighting Design entry, the Thespian must present and discuss lighting they designed for use in a published theatrical work. Designs for performances of original works, poetry, fiction, screenplays, television, concerts, and/or any other medium are not permitted.
Only one (1) Thespian may be involved in the design; collaborations are not permitted. Designs for theoretical or realized productions are acceptable.
Showcasing Your Work for the Adjudicators
The Thespian must prepare a five- to eight-minute (5-8-minute) presentation showcasing and summarizing their work. The presentation should walk the adjudicators through the process of conceptualization, collaboration, and design decision-making using the specific items listed under “Required Materials.”
In addition, the Thespian should address the the general presentation prompts below as well as how lighting was used to help tell the story (with specific examples cited and thought processes explained), the role other design elements played in the lighting, and any challenges that required addressing during the process.
Presentations may be verbal or visual in format (the Thespian may speak, display a video that presents their material, or let their support materials describe their process fully; in the latter case, the support materials would need to be thorough enough to allow the adjudicators to understand all required components of the category).
Required Materials
(Expand each item for details.)
1. Light plot that indicates all information necessary to ensure a clear understanding of the designer's intentions.
- The light plot may be printed or digital, but should be large enough for the adjudicators to see the details clearly during the presentation.
- The scale used should be 1/4-inch or 1/2-inch = 1 foot.
- The location and identification of every instrument, accessory, and specialty unit should be represented on the light plot, along with the following information (as applicable): color medium, set and masking, areas, lighting positions with labels, type of instrument, unit numbers, circuits, channels, focus/purpose, gobos/patterns/templates, practicals, specialty instruments (e.g., moving lights, foggers, hazers, fans, relays, etc.), instrument key.
- The light plot may be presented on a display board or alongside the additional support materials (see #2) in a binder or digital presentation. The board, page, or digital slide should be clearly and neatly labeled with a title block that contains the following information:
- Participant’s name and troupe number.
- Title of the play or musical.
- Authors and/or composers (as applicable).
- Name of performance venue and performance dates (if realized).
- Scale.
2. Additional support materials presented in a binder or digitally.
Additional support materials may be presented in a binder or digitally (the Thespian must provide their own equipment for viewing). Any digital presentation must display the work so that the adjudicators can see details during the presentation. These materials must include:
- Design statement no longer than one (1) page that includes the unifying production design concept and the theme of the show and/or recurring motifs that appear in it.
- Research, including:
- Summary of given circumstances from the script that apply to the lighting design.
- Functionality requirements.
- Genre, locale, and setting of the play (or other explanation of the world of the play).
- Artistic and practical needs that impact the design.
- Sources of inspiration for design and color palette (if used).
- Instrument schedule/channel hookup that includes (as needed) channel, position, instrument type, purpose/area, color/logo, dimmer/address.
- Magic sheet/cheat sheet that includes lighting areas, set pieces, and where each instrument is aimed.
- Representative sample of the script with cues indicated.
- Cue list and includes cue number, time up, follow, look, cue/cue line, and additional notes as needed.
- One of the following two options:
- If the production was theoretical, three (3) light renderings that include a description of the use of intensity, color, movement, directionality, and/or quality of light to communicate to the adjudicators both meaning and mood during the scene, as appropriate.
- If the production was realized, a photo series or short video (no longer than 1 minute) that highlights three (3) lighting cues that communicate the same details as above.
Optional Materials
The Thespian may bring in photo boards or other visual aids to display along with the light plot and support materials. The Thespian may also provide an optional written response to share additional information about the design with the adjudicators.
Question & Answer Session
Following the presentation, a 4-minute Q&A session will commence in which the adjudicators may ask any questions about the design and execution process or the additional support materials included.
Skills Measured
The skills measured by the adjudicators during the presentation are:
- Ability to demonstrate an understanding of the lighting design process.
- Ability to demonstrate an understanding of the artistic, functional, and practical constraints that impact design and the relationship to a unifying concept.
- Ability to demonstrate a basic understanding of the technology/equipment needed to implement and support the design.
- Ability to research and understand the connection between style, period, locale, genre, and other historical and cultural influences and design choices.
- Ability to document, present, and clearly explain and justify design choices.
