Controls for Theatre Lighting

When it comes to theatrical lighting, this is an area of illumination greatly benefiting from the new advances in technology. While the world of stage lighting was once a simple matter, it has since evolved to become its own area of expertise in the industry. When looking at today’s controls for theater lighting, there have are a few things to keep in mind.

• LED lights have come a long way in theater lighting. With an emphasis on color, nowhere is the LED more useful and versatile than in the world of theater lighting. Since an LED is able to convey several different colors without diminishing any of their performance capabilities, they have become a mainstay in the world of theater lighting controls. In addition to their ability to showcase a range of colors, they are also perfect for theater settings since they can be operated without the need for a startup time or a ballast component which means they are ready as needed.
• Adjustable lights have more options than ever before. Another way theater lighting controls have changed is that manufacturers have recognized the need for adjustable lamp heads in this area of lighting. With the ability to control where the light spread will disperse, as well as the ability to change it as needed, this is one of the best ways to achieve the versatility needed for stage lighting.
• Dimmers are also a big step in the right direction. While lighting used to be one level of lumen output whenever the solution was switched to on, there are a lot of dimmable applications available that are perfect for theater needs. This area of control allows for the light operator to dim or brighten stage lights as needed without having to switch them off and on which is less distracting to the audience and performers. Fader lights are also an example of this form of lighting technology being used in theatrical applications. Dimming lights are also important to achieve the flicker effect to signify when intermission is ending or the performance is starting.
• Surrounding area lights for atmosphere are also changing. The notion of the theater as a dimly lit environment is changing. Many performing arts centers are now larger, expansive buildings with state of the art lighting to match. When it comes to the lobby and guest areas, the lighting has become just as much about appearance as function to meet the needs of such facilities.