Lighting?

It’s always nice to have total light control.  However, during the sermon, the best you can hope for is to convince someone to stand in the back of the church near the switches.  When you give him the sign, (which is scratching the back of your neck), he'll take his sweet time switching off each light, one at a time, so that, eventually, the lights are off.  But you knew already that turning off the lights wouldn’t help much, because those big windows keep everything lit up anyway.

 Here are your options, as I see them.

(1) Plan your dramas to coincide with a total eclipse of the sun.

(2) Plan dramas that have no lighting needs for the Sunday morning sermon.

(3) Plan dramas that have lighting needs in the evening, (after sunset).

Now, when you do need lighting it can be a super effective way to create mood!  A couple of common lights used a lot are...

Spotlight - We've all seen these.  Someone standing in the back of the congregation can isolate an area on stage (and even move that "lit area" around, follow a character, etc.)

Fresnel - A focusable light with a lens.  Depending on the length of the actual light, is should be hung about 15 to 25 feet from the stage.  It should hang up high.

Parkay - A focusable light, without a lens, used for general stage lighting.  Again, depending on the length of the "can", it should be about 15 to 30 feet from the stage.  Great for general lighting.  It should hang up high.

Dimmer - This is “like” an expensive outlet strip that allows you to control which lights are “on” and whether they are “on” all the way, half way, dimly, etc.  Therefore, you can control what areas of the stage are lit at different points and different levels during your play. 

Rule of Thumb - You should be able to rent whatever lights you need, but if you are going to use them with regularity, buy them.  

Rule of Thumb - Lights get seriously hot!  I'm not kidding, seriously hot!  Keep the kids away.  Actually, keep everyone away!

Rule of Thumb - Keep extra bulbs handy, because bulbs will blow.  What do you do if a light blows during a play?  Nothing.  Warn your actors that if a blown light creates a terrible dark spot, try to stay out of that dark spot.  

Rule of Thumb - When changing bulbs, don't touch them.  The oil from your fingers will get on them and will shorten the life of the bulb.  If you accidentally touch a bulb, clean it thoroughly with a window cleaner before using it.

Bottom line?  Theater lighting can be great for dramatic moments on stage, but only use them if you really have a need for them.  Why?  Because they are a lot of trouble and expense.  

It's just my opinion,

In Him,

Randy