Plot and rehearse lighting for theatre and live productions

URN: SKSTTL18
Business Sectors (Suites): Theatre and Live Productions – Technical
Developed by: ScreenSkills
Approved on: 2025

Overview

This standard is about co-ordinating the rehearsing and plotting of the lighting. You will be required to use the rehearsal period, including the technical rehearsal and plotting session, to work out exactly how lighting will be used to achieve the desired effects during performance.
You will need to plot the cues and looks for each lighting state in agreement with relevant people using cue synopses and lists.

You must respond to the changes required during the rehearsal period and find innovative, practical or technical solutions to meet design and production requirements for any problems that occur, within the agreed design brief.

This standard is for Lighting technicians, Lighting designers and Lighting Heads of Department (HODs) for theatre and live productions.


Performance criteria

You must be able to:

  1. communicate about overall production schedules with relevant production staff
  2. attend stage technical and dress rehearsals when required
  3. make sure the effects of lighting combined with other aspects of productions meets production requirements
  4. deal with problems according to approved procedures, suggesting solutions that are feasible and in keeping with design intentions
  5. report problems that cannot be resolved to appropriate people
  6. consult with creative and technical staff to amend lighting states
  7. produce lighting states which satisfy design scenarios and maintain the overall integrity of designs
  8. check members of the technical teams have established working cue lists to maintain the cue-to-cue running of productions
  9. check that stage management has accurate cue synopsis and cue positions incorporated into the running order of productions
  10. use information to program and soft patch lighting desks ready for plotting
  11. make required alterations to lighting, paperwork and cue information held within lighting desks
  12. record paperwork and cue information held within lighting desks to enable them to be followed by other people
  13. plot and modify lighting states, so that they meet requirements
  14. develop and follow backup arrangements to deal with problems during operation and for cue information held within lighting desks
  15. playback lighting states to cue

Knowledge and Understanding

You need to know and understand:

  1. the difference between plotting sessions, technical rehearsals, dress rehearsals and previews and the role lighting designers and lighting head of department can play in these
  2. the possible improvements that can be identified during rehearsal
  3. how to work with technical teams to find solutions to problems
  4. the importance of consulting with other members of creative and technical teams
  5. the importance of maintaining the overall integrity of lighting designs
  6. the importance of the overall look of production and how lighting contributes to this
  7. the capabilities and operation of lighting desks, including fault finding and first line maintenance
  8. stage terminology and its meanings including upstage, downstage, stage left and stage right
  9. the operation of controls and lighting equipment, stage electrics and effects
  10. problems that may occur and who to liaise with to provide solutions
  11. the importance of plotting and modifying lighting states to meet production requirements
  12. why it is important to communicate with other people whilst plotting lighting states
  13. the level of speed, dexterity and efficiency required when plotting
  14. the importance of rehearsals and making the best use of rehearsal opportunities
  15. the importance of the back up of online information within the lighting desk and archiving of paperwork and information for future use
  16. agreed backup procedures for information within the lighting board and how to operate these
  17. the importance of responding promptly to requested alterations
  18. how to replace faulty light sources, including ensuring safe isolation
  19. the importance of recording alterations to cue lists
  20. legislation, organisational requirements and codes of practice

Scope/range


Scope Performance


Scope Knowledge


Values


Behaviours


Skills


Glossary


Links To Other NOS


External Links


Version Number

3

Indicative Review Date

2028

Validity

Current

Status

Original

Originating Organisation

ScreenSkills

Original URN

CCSTTL36

Relevant Occupations

Technician, Assistant Technician , Technical Supervisor , Technical Manager, Head Technician, Theatre Technician, Stage Technician, Production Technician, Technician Crew , Lighting Technician

SOC Code


Keywords

plot; rehearse; lighting; theatre and live productions;