Lighting

1. Know your stuff

Learn about the environmental pros and cons of different lighting options and what new low energy lighting options are in development.

2. Minimise power demand

Switch off lighting rigs until half an hour before the show begins. Don't worry about losing your light settings - the National Theatre have been switching off for over 2 years and haven't yet experienced an issue! Contact us for more information.

Try to design with low energy technologies and minimised power demand in mind. You can do this either through new lighting technologies, such as LED, or through using fewer lighting fixtures.

  • Turn off show lights after rig checks until the half
  • Ensure canopy, house and front-of-house lighting is turned off whenever possible
  • Designers should include working lights in their rig designs, so that show lights aren't needed to work
  • Use LED versions of cycloramas (finance permitting)
  • Avoid PVC tape - reusable velcro cable ties, old inner tubes and string are alternatives
3. Communicate with staff and suppliers

Communicate your environmental initiatives to staff and suppliers - explain that you'd like to minimise power demand and use equipment efficiently in set up and rehearsals.

Ask your suppliers about what environmentally responsible/low energy products they offer and/or are available on the market. 

Theatre