Theatre Lighting Designer Job Description
While every company is structured differently, this is a typical job description for a lighting designer in a professional theater, opera, or dance company. Note that in the best-run companies, the job description is a guideline, meant neither to strangle the designer nor to enable her/him to claim, "It's not my job."

  • In consultation, as needed, with the director, the Artistic Director, and the other designers, develop an artistic concept for the production.

  • Attend production meetings and rehearsals, as needed, before technical rehearsals.

  • Prepare the light plot (to scale), instrument schedule, channel hookup, and other paperwork as needed, and present same to the Master Electrician on or before a mutually agreed-upon date.

  • As requested, advise the Master Electrician in their preparation of the shop order, to consist of a list of equipment to be rented and a list of consumable supplies to be purchased.

  • Communicate to the stage manager, on or before a mutually agreed-upon date, a list of light cues.

  • Supervise the focus of the lighting fixtures.

  • With an electrician provided by the company, load preliminary cues into the lighting console prior to the first technical rehearsal.

  • Attend all technical and dress rehearsals and make appropriate changes to cues.

  • After the final dress rehearsal, leave the company a complete, updated package of plot and paperwork, so that the show may be maintained/remounted. NOTE: In many cases, this will be the responsibility of the Master Electrician.