Course Content and Outcomes Guides (CCOG)

CCOG for TA 113 Winter 2025


Course Number:
TA 113
Course Title:
Introduction to Stage Lighting
Credit Hours:
4
Lecture Hours:
60
Lecture/Lab Hours:
60
Lab Hours:
0

Course Description

Explores theater and studio lighting. Focuses on elements of electricity, optics, stage lighting design, color in light, stage lighting instruments and intensity controls. Participate in stage lab activities. Audit available.

Addendum to Course Description

Introduction to Lighting Design is designed to introduce elements of technical theater including practical hands-on experience designing, installing and realizing lighting techniques implemented in conjunction with the mainstage set(s) (number of sets may vary). The lecture/lab format provides time for individualized projects.

Intended Outcomes for the course

The student will:

  • Demonstrate the lighting pros and cons of three traditional stage types: Proscenium, Thrust and Arena.

  • Produce the following drawings/schedules: light plot, instrument schedule, cheat sheet.

  • Demonstrate the pros & cons of four stage lighting instruments:

a. PAR
b. Fresnel  
c. Ellipsoidal  
d. Source Four ERS

  • Design and implement a complete lighting design in conjunction with the PCC dance department as a culminating final project.  

Outcome Assessment Strategies

Assessment shall include:

  • An examination based on the text readings and lecture materials.

  • A group of scaled drawings & schedules, including: light plot, instrument schedule, cheat sheet.

  • A cumulative final lighting design project.

  • At least two of the following additional measures:

a. Graded homework  
b. Group projects  
c. Attendance and participation
d. Shop projects
e. Participation in the technical crew for the mainstage production

Assessment Basis:

  • Evaluation of the light design, hang, focus, gel and lighting tech for the mainstage show and PCC dance department TA 114 final project/concert.

  • Evaluation of the design and building of props, scenery, and costumes for the mainstage show.

  • Successful performance of the selected/assigned tech crew position for the mainstage show.

Course Content (Themes, Concepts, Issues and Skills)

  • How to think visually-taking written ideas and describing them:

a. Visually - Color, distribution and texture
b. Physically -Movement through the exclusive use of lighting  
c. Verbally - Effectively communicating lighting design terms and concepts orally

  • Understanding the theatre production process from the viewpoint of a lighting designer:

a. Script
b. Scaled drawings/schedules  
c. Finished stage lighting & scenery

  • Understanding theatre as a hierarchical group artfrom-as a contributing member of a production team:

a. Script as the source 
b. Director’s Vision  
c. Production Staff (Producer, Stage Manager, Assistant Stage Manager, Technical Director, Scene Shop Artisans, PR staff)  
d. Design team (scenery, lights, props, costumes, sound)  

Competencies/Skills:  

  • Creating lighting design paperwork:

a. Light plot 
b. Instrument schedule  
c. Cheat sheet

  • Reading & translating lighting design paperwork properly.

  • Successfully working with materials and tools/equipment common to stage lighting practices.

  • Installing & focusing lighting fixtures common to a mainstage show.  

Prerequisite Knowledge and Skills:

  • TA 111, Fundamentals of Technical Theatre & TA 112, Introduction to Scenic Design is preferred, but not required.

  • Oral and written command of college level English is suggested.