A simple lighting system consists of:

• power

• lanterns

• dimmers

• cables

• consoles.

Watch the video 'How to series: Lighting for theatre' to see how a lighting system is connected.

Lights can be installed on permanent or portable lighting truss, as well as on the floor. When installing any lights for a production, there are common procedures to follow:

• checking lights and power

• rigging

• patching

• focusing

• plotting.

Watch the video 'How to rig a light' and record the steps in rigging a light in a Google Doc.

Patching lights is the process of plugging in the lights and assigning how they will be operated – this can be done as hard or soft patching.

• Hard patching is the physical plugging in of tungsten lights to a patch panel system and then connecting to the dimmer rack.

• Soft patching is the process of addressing LED lights and then connecting to the lighting console through the DMX cable or splitter.

A lighting system can generate a lot of data, so it’s important to be aware of the following, and to make notes of the numbers where relevant.

Socket Number on the Bar

Each socket in the lighting rig should be separately identified. The numbers are only relevant when you’re working out the dimmer numbers and physical location of the lanterns. Once the lantern has a dimmer number, the socket number is no longer relevant, unless the lantern needs specific attention.

Multicore Number (if exists)

Some systems have multicore power cables connecting between lighting bars and dimmers. These multicores may be lettered and numbered (e.g. A1, A2 through to A6, then B1 etc.). Other systems have direct connections from the sockets on the rig to a hard patch next to the dimmers (see below)

Dimmer Number

The dimmer number is often the same as the channel number on the control desk (but not always). It’s needed if the dimmer fuse / circuit breaker trips out.

Channel Number

The control channel on the lighting desk (which is often the dimmer number, but not always if a soft patch has changed the default settings).

DMX Address

An address must be set on each piece of equipment that is connected to the DMX network, so that it knows what DMX level from the lighting desk it should respond to.

Focusing a light is the process of moving the light beam to the exact position on the stage required. This could be in combination with other soft-edged lights to create an even general wash on the specific position for a hard-edged spotlight or gobo pattern.

Watch the video 'Goodstock Greenwich Theatre get in' and see the focus session as a time-lapse.

Plotting sessions are when the lighting cues are finalised and plotted for a production with the director, lighting designer, technician and stage manager.

Watch the video 'How-to series: Plotting session' and record the key information about a plotting session.