There is an ever changing landscape of free stage lighting content on the web. If you are not yet ready to join one of our stage lighting courses, this page pulls together some of the key reading of stage lighting and some of the best content on the web for learning stage lighting.
Stage Lighting Terms and General
Terms and general all-in-one stage lighting basics material.
Salzburg’s Glossary of stage lighting terms.
On Stage Lighting Guide To Lampie Slang A look at some of the common slang we use in the professional stage lighting industry, particularly in the UK.
Bill Williams‘ Stage Lighting Introduction
Stage Lighting Equipment
Even simple stage lighting systems contain a certain amount of equipment. Learning the creative and technical uses for all this can be daunting. Here are some of our favourite resources to help you with the basics.
Stage Lighting Guide website – good for the basics.
VLS basic guide, including equipment.
A useful slideshow covering the key elements:
Stage Lighting Design
The creative side of stage lighting is lighting design, usually the role of the Lighting Designer. The Lighting Designer brings together the artistic use of light and the technical facilities available to create the final look on stage. Here are some of our favourite ways to get understand stage lighting design.
On Stage Lighting – Your First Lighting Design
On Stage Lighting – Rules of Stage Lighting Design
Stage Lighting Angles Explained – Church Tech Arts
Whitfield’s Steps for Lighting Design in PDF
Lighting Systems
On Stage Lighting – Anatomy of Stage Lighting System
Stage Lighting Maintenance – On Stage Lighting
LED Moving Light Maintenance and Repair – On Stage Lighting
Planning and Communication
Stage Lighting Plan Basics – On Stage Lighting
Theatrecraft guide to the basics of stage lighting communication paperwork.
The Lighting Archive – including an interactive package of stage lighting paperwork.
Examples of lighting plans from history at the New York Library Theatrical Lighting Database
Lighting Control
Lighting Control Basics Guides – On Stage Lighting
Busking Stage Lighting Control – On Stage Lighting
DMX Stage Lighting – On Stage Lighting
National Theatre’s Stage Lighting Playlist on YouTube, including videos on the lighting control roles:
DMX Stage Lighting Control basics video on YouTube: