Operate lighting for theatre and live productions
URN: SKSTTL25
Business Sectors (Suites): Theatre and Live Productions – Technical
Developed by: ScreenSkills
Approved on:
2025
Overview
This standard is about operating lighting so that it meets the requirements of productions. It covers your ability to carry out pre-performance checks, operate the lighting desk and to carry out post performance checks.
This standard is for Lighting technicians or those who operates lighting for theatre and live productions.
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
- check that lighting rig and equipment is in place and in safe working order
- check that focusing and plots meet performance requirements
- check that lighting console channels and settings are set up and balanced in line with requirements
- confirm the readiness of equipment with relevant people
- power up equipment in the specified order and in time for performances
- provide lighting states in a consistent way for all performances in accordance to cue and plot
- operate consoles within maximum channel numbers, and in line with industry standards
- deal with problems during performance without causing disruption using backup procedures when possible
- report problems and make suggestions to avoid these in future performances
- power all equipment down in the specified order
- make all equipment and consumables safe and secure in line with manufacturers’ instructions
- follow approved procedures and schedule for labelling, replacement and repair of equipment and consumables
- record details of problems and actions
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
- the importance of pre-performance checks
- how to check lighting equipment to ensure it is in safe working order
- how to carry out repairs and replace consumables safely and according to approved procedures including colours and lamps
- how to check that focusing and plots are correct for a performance
- the importance of powering up in the correct order and how to do so
- legislation and industry standards relating to all aspects of working with electricity and electrical equipment
- the operation of different types of console to produce different types of effect
- how to interpret ways in which lighting balance may unobtrusively change in harmony with artiste movement
- the effects and safe use of strobe lighting
- how to annotate and follow a script or score including cue lines and visual cues
- the meaning of common terms used by others giving cues including ‘Standing By’ and ‘Go’ cues
- terminology relating to stage positions including upstage, downstage, stage left and stage right
- the difference between operating equipment during rehearsal and operating equipment during performance
- the importance of operating equipment to support the artistic performance and how to do so
- the health and safety requirements, and how they affect the programming, operation, and working practices of different types of console
- the importance of consistency and how to achieve it
- faults and problems that may occur during performance and how to deal with these whilst minimising disruption
- the importance of noting problems that have occurred and of finding ways of avoiding these in future performances
- emergency procedures, including those for power cuts and fires
- the correct powering down procedures
- the importance of making all equipment and consumables safe and secure and how to do so
- record keeping of problems and actions
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
CCSTTL46
Relevant Occupations
Technician, Assistant Technician , Technical Supervisor , Technical Manager, Head Technician, Theatre Technician, Stage Technician, Production Technician, Technician Crew , Lighting Technician
SOC Code
Keywords
operate; lighting; theatre and live productions;