DG 1110.3.120
DESIGN GUIDE: MUSIC AND DRAMA CENTERS
JANUARY 1981
C H A P T E R 4: TECHNICAL PACKAGESTHEATER LIGHTING
sets the initial scale of audience/performer con-
struments needed. It is unwise to underestimate
tact. It may be moved up or down, and hides the
potential connected load in sizing the service.
lighting bridge or pipe immediately behind it.
Common practice is to apply a factor of 80% to
the total dimmer capacity, but this should be
Tormentors or Legs: The third pipe holds the
carefully considered. (N.B., 50% to 80% for dim-
principal legs or side masks that can be moved
mer-per-circuit systems). Planners must ask
on or offstage to set the width of the opening.
themselves, does installed capacity take into ac-
In fact, both tormentors and teaser can be soft
count likely future growth (it always grows) and
fabric draperies, wood or steel frames covered
the arrival of a road show with super power am-
with fabric or solid panel construction. The
plifiers and motorized devices as well as lighting
stretched fabric may be chosen for its appear-
equipment?
ance, ability to assume a particular shape, or its
ability to screen temporary or permanent loud-
The sizes and quantities of stage lighting equip-
speakers. It is usually required for trimming to
ment are determined primarily by the net stage
a shaped music shell; some. shells work better
area and secondarily by the type of use. Refer to
with solid panel masks. Heavy tormentors can
Sections 3-6 and 3-7 for typical stage configu-
be mounted on tracks supported on the stage
rations and potential use combinations.
floor, and may carry lighting towers with them.
The fabric is usually black velour.
4-2. SCENERY AND
Performance Curtain: The fourth and some-
SOFTGOODS
times fifth pipes usually hold lighting instru-
ments. However, the fourth pipe may hold a sec-
The topic of stage dressing and sets is discussed
ond, lightweight curtain that rises on the scene
briefly in Sections 3-6 through 3-8 and else-
after lighting levels and audience vision have
where in terms of its influence on stage shape,
adjusted, the entr'acte or overture concludes,
vision criteria, movement, sound absorption and
etc. It provides the intermediate veiling and un-
production activities-- in short, it relates to many
veiling of the stage set during performance with-
functional requirements of theater design pri-
out grossly interrupting continuity. The fourth
marily because it is an indeterminate element of
pipe may also hold a scenic image for a trans-
the artist's stagecraft. This Guide seeks only to
formation effect.
ensure free `reign to his creativity. From this
viewpoint, the major concern is to define ade-
Legs and Borders: The remaining pipes are
quate space, built-in mechanisms, lighting, safety
assigned as needed to lighting, scenery or more
provisions and organization to facilitate set con-
masking. Legs and borders form a series of par-
struction. and use. Draperies and softgoods,
allel frames that screen lighting instruments,
however, must be either furnished or built cus-
flies and wagon sets awaiting use, and actors or
tom fit, and merit discussion here.
cast members offstage. The position of legs can
be varied to alter the acting area shape and size,
House Curtains: The major proscenium drape
and borders can be raised or lowered to adjust
was traditionally an ornate biparting curtain. It
the impression of great height or "interior"
is often of heavy opaque material to muffle prep-
scale. With lighting alone, successive frames can
arations on stage as the audience is being
create a wide range of depth illusion. Three to
seated. It signals the beginning and end of major
five such frames are provided depending on
sections, the points at which house lights are
stage size, and are typically black velour fabric.
lowered or raised and the audience is returned
This technique has particular application to Dance,
to "the real world". Modern practice installs the
Opera and some Drama where constructed "box
house curtain on the first pipe or set of rigging,
sets" are not used.
enabling it to be drawn both vertically aloft and
horizontally on a traveller. Before performance,
Other Draperies: Typical accessory draperies
it is usually lighted with "curtain warmers".
include a full size black velour backdrop, a full
size mid-stage black velour drop, a black sharks
Teaser or Header: The second pipe holds the
tooth scrim, miscellaneous special purpose black
foremost border behind the house curtain. It
velour pieces, and a projection screen. Some-
forms the apparent frame during performance.
times variety acts are performed in front of the
The proscenium may be higher, and curved or
Act Curtain, usually the liveliest backdrop visu-
splayed for acoustic purposes, while the teaser
ally, which serves to screen scene changes being
4-8
Previous Page
