What Are Theater Spotlights?

Spotlights add to a production.

A theatre spotlight is any light with a lens that you can focus onto a particular part of a stage. There are many spotlight types. Generally, stage crew hang them from above but you can also mount them on "trees." A tree is a wooden or metal structure with a pole center to put lights on.

History

Gas lighting took effort

The first spotlight was the limelight, invented in 1803 by Henry Drummond. He achieved the effect by heating a block of lime with burning oxygen and hydrogen torches. Paris Opera Houses were the first to use limelights as spotlights. For the first time, stage hands could put light on an individual area or person or give the effect of sunlight or starlight. This is where the expression "in the limelight" came from. Stage crew could also combine the lights to provide general lighting.

Potential

Each limelight took constant attention to keep them fueled. An electric carbon arc was invented in 1846. The Paris Opera first used the arc as spotlights but they were not efficient and not widely used. By the late 19th century, the electric arc spotlight was quickly replacing the limelights. London's Savoy Theatre was the first to have a completely electric theatre in the 1880s. Bijou's Theatre in Boston was the first in the United States to go electric in 1882.

Identification

The most commonly used spotlight

The most commonly used spotlight today is the ellipsoidal spotlight (or Leko). A light designer can use the Leko in many ways. He can use it to light a large area or focus in with its shutters or with irises inserted. He can achieve other effects by using a gobo, or metal plate cut to represents shapes, such as leaves. In addition, he can move the lens position of the Leko forward or back to change the focus.

Types

Spotlights are intregal to the theatre

Other widely used spots are the Fresnel (pronounced frennel), the parabolic aluminizer reflector (PAR) and follow spots. The Fresnel lenses can do a concentrated spot of broad area and cannot project patterns. A designer mostly uses the Fresnel for flood lighting. The PAR is economically a good choice as it is a simple spot and projects a strong light. Rock concerts use them to illuminate through the fog and other special effects. Follow spots are operated by a single individual. These are large lights generally set in the back of the house used to follow a person or group on stage. A light operator can use the iris to focus and generally can switch colors. They move the entire machine to focus on the action.

Considerations

A combination of lights

Most theatres will use a variety of lights, building up their collection as they grow. Some will have some gobos and other special effect add-ons on hand while some will rent or borrow. The same is true for follow spots. Generally, a designer will have the Lekos, Fresnels and PARS arranged on bars hanging slightly in front of and above the stage. These are set to be flexible. Each show will have its own lighting needs and the spot lights will need to be adjusted to best reflect the look the director is aiming for.

References

• Northern Virginia Community College: A History of Stage Lighting
• Encyclopedia Brittanica: Limelight
• Northern State University: A Short History of Stage Lighting, Brief Edition

Resources

• Western Michigan University: Theater Terms and Definitions