The David L. Thayer
Lighting Design Workshop
KCACTF Region 5
Denver University,
Denver, Colorado
January 18-24, 2004
In addition there are two cash awards in the amount of $100 presented in conjunction with this workshop.
a. A common light plot will be provided to each entrant. To enter the competition and receive a copy of the common plot and instrument schedule, write to:
Dennis P. Chandler mailto:chandler@usd.edu
Associate Professor of Theatre
The University of South Dakota
Vermillion, SD
605 677-5743(office)
605 624-6486(home)
605 675-9145(cell)
b. Each entrant is to select a piece of music from 3-5 minutes in length and design compositional light appropriate to the music. Each entrant will provide two or more objects of their choice to light during the performance. The choice of music, properties and lighting "looks" should reflect a personal relationship to the work, a personal vision. A story need not be told. The objects may or may not move.
c. Each design should show evidence of the use of side light, top or back light and three dimensional front light.
d. Each design must include the following appearances: color change on the object(s), change object to background contrast (through color or intensity), focus change from one object to another (through color, intensity, or direction of throw) and reshaping of the object(s) (through color, intensity, and direction change).
e. None of the fixtures from the common plot may be refocused but may be recolored. Each entrant may hang up to five specials. Each design may incorporate up to 15 fixtures including: fixtures from the common plot, specials and any motivational light source (provided by the designer). (A strip light counts as one fixture.)
f. Each entry must include:
...
1. an entry form
2. a statement of concept or approach to the design problem; the designers intent in bringing together the selected music, props and lighting materials (include the title of the music)
3. a descriptive cue sheet-statements of how the cue advances the concept
4. a light plot (including scenic pieces)
5. a color key or compass
6. section(s)
7. an instrument or hook-up schedule (fixture type, location, purpose, load circuit, dimmer #, color)
8. a track sheet (show planned level changes from cue to cue)
9. a board operator's cue sheet/preset sheets. Each element must be clearly identified (on the back only) with the designer's name and return address.
a. Each designer will be assigned a time slot. On the assigned day, all the designers will meet to hang, focus and color the specials required and to color fixtures from the common plot. (Some re-coloring of common plot fixtures will occur during rehearsal and performance times to meet the requirements of each design.)
b. Each designer will then be given 1/2 hour to write cues.
c. After each designer has written cues, each designer will receive 15 minutes in which to rehearse his/her performance.
d. Public performances of the designs will be given in The Little Theatre in the Margary Reed Building. Following each performance, there will be a verbal critique for the designers.
e. Strike of the "special" fixtures will follow each critique and continue until completed.
f. The entire process, from hang to strike, will be evaluated as part of the project.
g. Miscellaneous notes for the selected finalists:
2. Each designer selected for the finals may use one crew member to assist in the hang, focus, re-coloring and strike.
3. The paperwork for each design finalist will be displayed during the Festival. Consequently, each entrant should retain one copy of all paperwork to use during the finals if he/she is selected.
4. The descriptive cue sheet is different from a board operator's cue sheet and, in words, should describe how each cue advances the concept.
5. Be careful that lyrics, scenery and properties do not carry a disproportionate amount of meaning for this project—this is a lighting demonstration.
6. The color key or compass is a graphic illustrating direction of throw for each selected color filter and should appear on the light plot.
7. Fixtures (other than motivational), cable, mounting positions, dimmers, control and sound system will be provided.
8. Each designer must provide their own color filters.
9. Please have your music recorded on cassette or CD. There is NO MiniDisc player on site. If your music is on a mini disc, you must supply your own player.
7. CRITIQUES:
Questions regarding the David L. Thayer Lighting Design Workshop/competition should be addressed to:
Dennis P. Chandler, mailto:chandler@usd.edu
or Arden Weaver, mailto:aweaver@ d.umn.edu
