Lighting Design
Explore how light can shape a theatrical world, direct an audience's attention, create mood, and help tell a story.
At a Glance
Participants: 1 student
Presentation: 5 to 8 minutes
Q&A: Up to 4 minutes
Project: Realized or theoretical
Work: Individual student design
What You'll Prepare
Create a lighting design for a published play or musical.
Your design may be based on a production that was actually produced, or it may be a theoretical design.
During your presentation, explain your design concept, research, process, and the choices you made to use lighting as part of the production's storytelling.
Required Materials
Bring:
A light plot or other clear visual representation of lighting placement
A brief design concept or statement
Research and inspiration
A sample cue list
Three examples of important lighting moments
Your three lighting examples may be shown through renderings, drawings, photographs, production images, or another clear visual format.
Materials may be presented physically or digitally.
Optional Materials
You may bring additional materials that help adjudicators understand your work, such as:
Additional lighting renderings
Production photographs
Cue documentation
Equipment information
Sample script pages with cues
Other relevant design materials
What to Discuss
Be prepared to explain:
Your overall lighting concept
How lighting helps tell the story
Your use of color, direction, intensity, focus, or movement
How research influenced your choices
How your design works with scenery, costumes, performers, and other production elements
Equipment or practical limitations you considered
Challenges you encountered and how you addressed them
What Adjudicators Look For
Adjudicators will consider:
Design Process: Your understanding of how a lighting design is developed.
Storytelling & Concept: How effectively lighting supports the story and overall production.
Technical Understanding: Your basic understanding of the technology and equipment needed to create the design.
Research: How style, period, location, genre, and other influences inform your choices.
Communication: Your ability to document, present, explain, and support your design choices.
Review the Adjudication Rubric
ThesFest uses the official Thespy Lighting Design rubric to evaluate this category.
Review the rubric before developing your presentation so you understand what adjudicators will be looking for.
[View the Official Lighting Design Rubric]
Before ThesFest
My project is based on a published play or musical.
I have all required materials.
I selected three lighting moments to discuss.
My presentation is between 5 and 8 minutes.
I reviewed the official rubric.
I can explain my design choices.
I am prepared to answer questions.
My digital materials are downloaded and ready, if applicable.
I reviewed the ThesFest General Adjudication Rules.