Light Designer
At a Glance
- You shape what the audience sees. Mood, focus, time, place — all through light.
- Your closest partners: Director (vision), Set Designer (focal points, masking), Stage Manager (cue calling), Technical Director (rigging, power), board operator (programming).
- Key deliverables: light plot, instrument schedule, cue list, magic sheet, focus session plan.
- Where you live in the process: Pre-Tech and Tech Week heaviest; design work earlier, on call through performances.
- Phase responsibilities at the bottom: see By Phase.
Position Overview
The Light Designer is responsible for illuminating the stage with creativity and technical precision. Working in close collaboration with the Director and the full design team, the Light Designer conceptualizes and executes the lighting that shapes the visual experience of the production — establishing mood, directing focus, and supporting the emotional arc of the story. This role requires both artistic vision and deep technical knowledge of theatrical lighting systems.
Reports to: Production Manager Collaborates closely with: Director, Stage Manager, and full design team
Ongoing Knowledge and Oversight
- Know the theatrical space — its lighting inventory, grid positions, strengths, limitations, and quirks.
- Maintain regular communication with the Production Manager, Stage Manager, Director, and other production positions.
- Become familiar with the booth, equipment, and operational processes well in advance of tech.
- Stay current on the budget, timelines, and production expectations.
- Understand the roles and responsibilities of all other production positions.
Qualifications
Essential Qualifications
- Strong artistic vision with the ability to use light to support mood, focus, and storytelling.
- Solid technical proficiency with lighting equipment, control boards, and programming software.
- Excellent collaboration skills and ability to work within a defined creative framework.
- Ability to work effectively with young artists while maintaining high production standards.
- Strong organizational skills and ability to meet tech and performance deadlines.
Preferred Qualifications
- Background in theatrical lighting design, electrical work, or a related technical field.
- Experience programming ETC EOS or similar lighting consoles.
- Understanding of color theory and its application in stage lighting.
- Previous experience in a professional or community theatre context.
Working Conditions
- Work primarily during evenings and weekends to accommodate young artists’ schedules.
- Collaborative environment requiring close coordination with the full design and production team.
- Work in booth or on the grid during installation; extended standing during tech.
- Fast-paced during technical rehearsals, requiring adaptability and precise execution.
Success Measures
- Lighting designs that serve the director’s vision and enhance the emotional arc of the production.
- Programming completed efficiently and on schedule.
- Smooth integration of lighting with set, sound, and costumes during dry tech and tech rehearsals.
- Effective, professional collaboration with the Director, Stage Manager, and design team.
- Consistent, well-maintained lighting execution throughout the production run.
By Phase
Inception
Welcome to the Encore fam! Be sure to complete your onboarding items below — we look forward to building an incredible show that builds life skills through stage skills for young artists.
Onboarding
- Complete child safety training.
- Submit background check.
- Submit W-9.
- Sign and return contract.
- Complete onboarding process.
Initial Production Work
- Begin reviewing the script for lighting scope and mood implications.
- Attend the onboarding meeting with the full production team.
See 1 - Inception for the phase overview.
Pre-Production
- Obtain a script and develop thorough knowledge of the scene structure and lighting needs of the show — in collaboration with the Director.
- Participate in all production meetings.
- Obtain the production schedule and timeline from Stage Management or Production Manager.
- Map your schedule against the full production calendar, including rehearsals, tech week, key design milestones, designer run, dry tech, and opening night.
- Obtain the contact list and maintain communication with Stage Management, the Director, and fellow designers.
- Prepare an itemized list of possible instruments or rentals needed for the production.
Casting
- No assigned responsibilities.
See 3 - Casting for the phase overview.
Rehearsals
- Engage in and respect a harmonious, collaborative working environment.
- Attend the design presentation with the cast and be prepared to speak to how the lighting will help tell the story (typically in the first week of rehearsal).
- Check and respond to the daily rehearsal report as needed.
- Continue attending production meetings and maintain ongoing communication with the production team.
Designer Run. The tech process begins at the designer run. Come in with a fully realized understanding of the design — how it works both from a storytelling perspective and in practical execution. This is your opportunity to identify and resolve issues before moving into the performance space.
Depending on the Director’s discretion, the designer run is often a chance for the Director to sit with the Light Designer and Stage Manager to share specifics — colors, mood, areas of focus. The LD can take notes to begin programming the board and discuss what is or isn’t possible given the available instruments and space.
The designer run should always be followed by a production meeting where questions and discrepancies can be addressed.
See 4 - Rehearsals for the phase overview.
Pre-Tech
Pre-Tech is when all design elements should be installed and ready so Tech can integrate rather than build. See 5 - Pre-Tech for the full process and timeline.
- Lights should be installed, focused, and lightly programmed.
- Specialty moments should be set up and worked out in advance.
- A general look and initial programming should be in place.
- Communicate any delayed elements to the Director, Stage Manager, and Production Manager.
Dry Tech
Dry Tech runs the design team through cues with no actors or costumes yet — set moves, lights, sound, sets coordinating. See 5 - Pre-Tech for the full Dry Tech process.
- Pre-program light cues.
- Install and test additional instruments.
See 5 - Pre-Tech for the phase overview.
Technical Rehearsals
The Light Designer is responsible for ensuring the lighting is programmed, functional, and serving the production throughout tech.
- Focus, design, and program the lights.
- Ensure complicated or specialty elements are working as designed.
- Train the board operator and oversee their execution.
- Take notes on adjustments and implement fixes promptly.
- Attend post-tech production meetings at the Stage Manager’s discretion. Assume a meeting will occur after actors are released unless told otherwise.
- Continue close collaboration with the Director and Stage Manager.
- Refine lighting design cues.
- Adjust levels, colors, and timing based on director and stage management feedback.
- Attend production meetings.
See 6 - Technical Rehearsals for the phase overview.
Performance
The Light Designer’s primary design work is complete once the production opens.
- Ensure the light design is maintained — both aesthetically and functionally — for the duration of the run.
- Light involvement once the show is open; check in as needed for maintenance or replacement bulbs/units.
See 7 - Performance for the phase overview.
Post-Production
- Supervise strike of lighting elements.
- Archive design materials and submit final reports/budgets.
See 8 - Post-Production for the phase overview.
Related
Status: Working · Portal: Team · Last reviewed: 2026-05-11 · Owner: Rhett