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:

  1. check that lighting rig and equipment is in place and in safe working order
  2. check that focusing and plots meet performance requirements
  3. check that lighting console channels and settings are set up and balanced in line with requirements
  4. confirm the readiness of equipment with relevant people
  5. power up equipment in the specified order and in time for performances
  6. provide lighting states in a consistent way for all performances in accordance to cue and plot
  7. operate consoles within maximum channel numbers, and in line with industry standards
  8. deal with problems during performance without causing disruption using backup procedures when possible
  9. report problems and make suggestions to avoid these in future performances
  10. power all equipment down in the specified order
  11. make all equipment and consumables safe and secure in line with manufacturers’ instructions
  12. follow approved procedures and schedule for labelling, replacement and repair of equipment and consumables
  13. record details of problems and actions

Knowledge and Understanding

You need to know and understand:

  1. the importance of pre-performance checks
  2. how to check lighting equipment to ensure it is in safe working order
  3. how to carry out repairs and replace consumables safely and according to approved procedures including colours and lamps
  4. how to check that focusing and plots are correct for a performance
  5. the importance of powering up in the correct order and how to do so
  6. legislation and industry standards relating to all aspects of working with electricity and electrical equipment
  7. the operation of different types of console to produce different types of effect
  8. how to interpret ways in which lighting balance may unobtrusively change in harmony with artiste movement
  9. the effects and safe use of strobe lighting
  10. how to annotate and follow a script or score including cue lines and visual cues
  11. the meaning of common terms used by others giving cues including ‘Standing By’ and ‘Go’ cues
  12. terminology relating to stage positions including upstage, downstage, stage left and stage right
  13. the difference between operating equipment during rehearsal and operating equipment during performance
  14. the importance of operating equipment to support the artistic performance and how to do so
  15. the health and safety requirements, and how they affect the programming, operation, and working practices of different types of console
  16. the importance of consistency and how to achieve it
  17. faults and problems that may occur during performance and how to deal with these whilst minimising disruption
  18. the importance of noting problems that have occurred and of finding ways of avoiding these in future performances
  19. emergency procedures, including those for power cuts and fires
  20. the correct powering down procedures
  21. the importance of making all equipment and consumables safe and secure and how to do so
  22. 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;