Lighting a stage is more than just being able to see a play and its actors.
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Stage lighting is one of the integral parts of a production, bringing to life the director's vision for a scene and a show.
Through the help of lighting, the director can draw the attention of the audience to what they want you to see, the presence of an actor or an object or action on the stage. Without words, lighting can tell us where we are, what time of the day it is and even what year or period of time we are in.
Lighting can make us believe it is raining or storming, have us experience a beautiful sunrise or transport us into the darkest of nights.
Lighting reveals the mood of the play and enhances the emotional responses of an audience.
During this time of forced closure of the Theatre, the Bay Theatre Players member, Sam Aspinall, has taken the opportunity to do some maintenance work, as well as upgrading the lighting and audio system.
Sam grew up in Batemans Bay and was a young member of the Bay Theatre Players when the performance space was still at Observation Point in Batehaven.
Before moving back to Batemans Bay in 2011, Sam was Head Lighting Technician at the Canberra Theatre, so brings a lot of knowledge and experience.
Sam says the improvement in theatre lighting technology since his days at the Canberra Theatre is outstanding and is thrilled such excellent technology can be readily available to community theatres.
New tech can provide amazing moments
"Our directors, lighting designers and lighting operators have battled with old tech for a while now, so its great to have had the opportunity and time to upgrade," Sam said.
"The new tech integrates audio, video and lighting seamlessly, and has potential to provide some really amazing moments on the playhouse stage."
The upgrade is a welcome addition for the Bay Theatre Players 2020 production, The Drowsy Chaperone, which is on course to open later in the year should restrictions allow. The Drowsy Chaperone is a Broadway-style musical, full of big show-stopping dance numbers, so great quality audio and lighting are essential to the experience. The cast are happily rehearsing at home but are looking forward to being back in the Theatre in the coming months.
