3/13/2025 10:34:36 PM	THAR 26 Course Outline as of Fall 2025	Changed Course
CATALOG INFORMATION
Discipline and Nbr:  THAR 26	Title:  INTRO THEATRE LIGHTING
Full Title:  Introduction to Theatrical Lighting
Last Reviewed:2/24/2025

Units		Course Hours per Week			Nbr of Weeks	Course Hours Total
Maximum	3.00	Lecture Scheduled	2.00		17.5 max.	Lecture Scheduled	35.00
Minimum	3.00	Lab Scheduled	2.00		6 min.	Lab Scheduled	35.00
		Contact DHR	2.00			Contact DHR	35.00
		Contact Total	6.00			Contact Total	105.00
		Non-contact DHR	0			Non-contact DHR Total	0

Total Out of Class Hours:  70.00

Total Student Learning Hours: 175.00

Title 5 Category:  AA Degree Applicable
Grading:  Grade Only
Repeatability:  00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP
Also Listed As: 
Formerly: 

Catalog Description:

Students will learn the basic concepts of theatre lighting, including hands-on instruction in the operation of stage lighting, planning, and rigging. Instruction is focused on light sources, the theory of electricity in the theatre, color media and theory, lighting design, light plots, equipment, control systems, and rehearsal/performance procedures and operation.

Prerequisites/Corequisites:

Recommended Preparation:
Course Completion or Concurrent Enrollment in THAR 1 and THAR 20

Limits on Enrollment:

Schedule of Classes Information
Description:

Students will learn the basic concepts of theatre lighting, including hands-on instruction in the operation of stage lighting, planning, and rigging. Instruction is focused on light sources, the theory of electricity in the theatre, color media and theory, lighting design, light plots, equipment, control systems, and rehearsal/performance procedures and operation.

(Grade Only)
Prerequisites:
Recommended:Course Completion or Concurrent Enrollment in THAR 1 and THAR 20
Limits on Enrollment:
Transfer Credit:CSU;UC.
Repeatability:00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP

ARTICULATION, MAJOR, and CERTIFICATION INFORMATION

Associate Degree:		Effective:		Inactive:
Area:
CSU GE:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
IGETC:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
CSU Transfer:	Transferable	Effective:	Fall 1985	Inactive:
UC Transfer:	Transferable	Effective:	Fall 1985	Inactive:
C-ID:
CID Descriptor: THTR 173	Introduction to Stage Lighting or Lighting Design Fundamentals	SRJC Equivalent Course(s): THAR26

Certificate/Major Applicable: Both Certificate and Major Applicable

COURSE CONTENT

Student Learning Outcomes:
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

1. Safely hang, circuit, and focus a lighting plot, applying lighting fundamentals including correct equipment identification and accurate plot interpretation.

2. Conceptualize and draft a basic lighting plot for a theatrical production, applying script analysis, research, lighting theory, lighting terminology, and documentation techniques.

 

Objectives:

At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

1. Hang, circuit, and focus lighting equipment for a production.

2. Exhibit safe and well organized work habits, including following basic safety precautions when using catwalks, ladders, and lifts.

3. Identify the function of specific lighting instruments, riggings, control systems, connectors, lamps, special effects equipment, and technical plots.

4. Demonstrate an understanding of lighting theory, basic electrical theory, and the ability to work safely with electronic equipment.

5. Distinguish types of circuits and compute appropriate wattage, resistance, amperage, and voltage.

6. Correctly read and interpret a light plot and supporting paperwork.

7. Design a basic lighting scheme including a plot and supportive data.

8. Define and correctly use common theatrical and lighting design terminology.

9. Evaluate the responsibilities of a theatrical lighting designer as a career and recognize the designer's collaboration with the other production company personnel.

10. Analyze a theatrical text, identifying all potential lighting requirements, and design possibilities at a beginning level.

11. Apply elements of color theory and lighting theory, including style, color, texture, angle, and mood to theatrical lighting.

Topics and Scope

I. Principles of Light

    A. How light works

    B. Optics

II. Working with Electricity

    A. Safe practices

    B. Basic electrical theory and terms*  

        1. Wattage

        2. Resistance

        3. Amperage

        4. Voltage

    C. Electrical systems

        1. Wiring

        2. Types of circuits

        3. Dimming systems

III. Lighting Instruments and Equipment

    A. Care and maintenance

    B. Fixture types, features, and uses

    C. Lamps

    D. Gels and gobos

    E. Special effects (fog, smoke, haze, and projections)

    F. Practicals

IV. Lighting Control Systems

    A. Board operation in production

    B. Manual vs. computer control

    C. Patching and cueing

V. Lighting Design

    A. Conceptual research*

    B. Integration of design with other aspects of production*

    C. Constructing a plot and supporting paperwork

VI. Color Theory

    A. Additive and subtractive color mixing

    B. Mood

VII. Lighting Theory

    A. Style and mood

    B. Angle, texture, and intensity

VIII. Script requirements

     A. Identifying lighting requirements

         1. Style

         2. Essential elements

         3. Number of locations, time of day, etc.

    B. Working with plays from major historical periods

IX. Safety During the Hang and Focus Process

    A. Proper use of tools and equipment

    B. Correct usage of ladders, lifts, catwalks, and safety harnesses

    C. Emergency procedures

X. Rigging

    A. Knot tying and proper usage

    B. Techniques

XI. Hang and Focus Techniques

    A. Reading and interpreting a light plot

    B. Dividing responsibilities

    C. Hanging light instruments

    D. Circuiting a plot

    E. Focusing instruments

    F. Troubleshooting techniques

XII. Careers in Theatrical Lighting*

    A. Types of positions and responsibilities

         1. Lighting Designer

         2. Master Electrician

         3. Board Operator    

    B. Resumes for lighting field

    C. Etiquette and work ethic

    D. Union work

    E. Working with rental companies

    F. Working as an Independent Contractor

 

*All topics are covered in both the lecture and lab parts of the course, except those sections marked with an asterisk, which are only covered in lecture.

Assignments:

Lecture Related Assignments:

 

1. Reading (10-15 pages per week)

2.  Reading comprehension and lecture topic homework exercises (10-17)

 

Lecture and Lab Related Assignments:

 

1. 5-minute light show assignment

     a. Choose music

     b. Apply lighting principles

     c. Run show in a lab

2. Research and design assignment

     a. Select a play scene

     b. Write a detailed lighting description

     c. Include research imagery

3. Final Project: Production light plot  

     a. Select script

     b. Draft light plot

     c. Add cues to script

     d. Color Order

     e. Design concept paper (1-3 pages)

     f. All design paperwork and/or presentation as assigned by instructor

4. Quizzes

     a. Reading comprehension quizzes

     b. Class discussion quizzes

     c. Lecture material quizzes

5. Written exams

    a. Midterm

     b. Final

 

Lab Related Assignment: Practicum Experience (35 Hours DHR):

 

1. Hang and focus lighting for one or more SRJC productions (16 hours)

2. SRJC technical theatre activity participation (19 hours)

     a. Lighting projects

     b. Equipment maintenance

     c.  Event preparation

     d. Inventory organization

3. Participation and professionalism

     a. Adhere to the theatre department standards of professionalism

     b. Complete DHR hours

4. Skills Exams

     a. Midterm

     b. Final

Methods of Evaluation/Basis of Grade.

Writing: Assessment tools that demonstrate writing skill and/or require students to select, organize and explain ideas in writing.		Writing 10 - 20%
Light show concept, lighting description, final concept paper, reading comprehension and lecture homework exercises
Problem solving: Assessment tools, other than exams, that demonstrate competence in computational or non-computational problem solving skills.		Problem Solving 5 - 10%
Homework exercises, research imagery
Skill Demonstrations: All skill-based and physical demonstrations used for assessment purposes including skill performance exams.		Skill Demonstrations 30 - 50%
Light show lab demonstration, script cues, Light plot, skill midterm exam, and skill final exam
Exams: All forms of formal testing, other than skill performance exams.		Exams 10 - 20%
Quizzes, written midterm, and written final exam
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories.		Other Category 15 - 30%
Participation, DHR hours completion, and professionalism

Representative Textbooks and Materials:

Shelley, Steven Louis.  A Practical Guide to Stage Lighting, 3rd ed. Focal Press: 2013. (Classic).

Instructor prepared materials

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