Butts Acting Guild Dance Company

Lighting Director’s Duties: Tech to Post-Production

With Examples & Best Practices

Butts Acting Guild

Pre-Production Duties

• Meet with Director and Stage Manager

• Collaborate to design lighting 

Technical & Dress Rehearsals

1. Program & Test Lighting

• Program and test all lighting cues.

• Collaborate with director and SM on timing, mood, and storytelling.

• Ensure actors are properly lit without blinding sightlines.

• Maintain cue sheets in coordination with SM.

Examples & Best Practices:

• Label circuits clearly and keep a channel hookup sheet.

• Run focus with crew and take photos of focus points.

• Always include work lights or blue lights backstage for safety.

2. Coordinate During Tech

• Follow SM instructions during cue-to-cue and runs.

• Adjust cues for clarity, safety, and artistic consistency.

Examples & Best Practices:

• Use consistent timing (count beats if necessary).

• Communicate with SM before adjusting cues during rehearsals.

Performance Period

3. Run Lighting Cues

• Execute cues consistently under SM direction.

• Monitor and adjust equipment during the run.

• Troubleshoot outages or malfunctions quickly.

Examples & Best Practices:

• Perform a pre-show light check every night.

• Keep a flashlight handy for backstage adjustments.

• Stay quiet and professional on headset.

Post-Production

4. Strike & Restore

• Help with strike and equipment return.

• Restore lighting plot if venue is shared.

Examples & Best Practices:

• Take down gels carefully and store them flat.

• Neatly coil cables and label stored instruments.

Summary

In community theatre, the Lighting Director is:

• The designer – crafts mood and atmosphere with light

• The operator – runs cues consistently during shows

• The technician – ensures safe and functional equipment