Student Author(s)

Aaron Haecker

Faculty Mentor(s)

Professor Perry Landes

Document Type

Poster

Event Date

4-11-2014

Abstract

The purpose of this presentation is to provide a record and an explanation of the lighting design process for the production of Shakespeare’s As You Like It, produced by the Department of Theatre at Hope College. The lighting design process begins with an analysis of the text, followed by meetings with the director and other designers in order to discuss approaches to this production. When working with the text, designers seek to discern what the playwright had in mind. For example, what were the moods and what were the locations. For As You Like It, the director and designers chose to set the time to in the middle 1800’s just before the industrial revolution. These times were saturated with urban shift and conflict between cities and the country, similar to Shakespeare’s play. For a lighting designer, evocative visual images are especially useful in conveying the thoughts of the designer to the other members of the design team. The research is then translated into practical design in the terms of direction, color and texture. Collaboration with other designers is also an important part. The designer plots the lighting using a computer-aided design (CAD) program and leads the crew in hanging and focusing the lighting units. The designer will then write light cues to support the action, shape the appearance of the scenery and costumes. Through the process of rehearsals, actors, sound, scenery, costume, and lighting, all aspects are joined together and the production is formed.

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