Question 1: Describe how you would use lighting to create a tense and suspenseful atmosphere during a scene in a play.

Answer: Use dim, focused lighting such as spotlights on actors, with shadows cast across the stage. Incorporate sudden changes in lighting intensity and avoid bright, uniform illumination to build tension.

Question 2: Explain the purpose of a spotlight and when it might be used during a performance.

Answer: A spotlight is used to highlight a specific actor or object on stage, drawing the audience’s attention. It is often used during important dialogue, monologues, or to emphasize a key moment.

Question 3: List three different types of stage lighting instruments and briefly describe their effects.

Answer: 1. Fresnel Lanterns – produce soft, diffused light suitable for general lighting. 2. Spotlights – create a focused beam to highlight specific areas or actors. 3. PAR Cans – provide strong, intense light often used for washes or dynamic effects.

Question 4: Draw a simple lighting plot for a scene set in a forest at night, indicating where the lights would be positioned and their likely colors or effects.

Answer: A correct sketch would show stage sides with lights aimed inward, using cool blue or green gels to suggest moonlight, with dim lighting overall and possibly a few focused beams to highlight specific trees or actors.

Question 5: Describe how colored lighting can influence the mood of a scene. Give an example with two different colors and the mood they create.

Answer: Colored lighting affects the emotional tone; for example, red can create a feeling of danger or passion, while blue can evoke calmness or sadness.

Question 6: Explain the difference between front lighting and back lighting, and discuss how each can be used effectively in a scene.

Answer: Front lighting illuminates actors directly from the front, making them clearly visible. Back lighting illuminates from behind, creating silhouettes or a glow around the actors, useful for dramatic effects or to separate actors from the background.

Question 7: Imagine a scene where a character is feeling scared and vulnerable. Describe how you would set up the lighting to reflect this mood.

Answer: Use low, dim lighting with shadows cast across the stage. Perhaps focus a narrow beam on the character’s face, with the background remaining dark to isolate them and enhance the feeling of vulnerability.

Question 8: Sketch a lighting plan for a bright, cheerful scene set in a sunny garden. Indicate the placement and suggested colors/effects of the lights.

Answer: A good sketch would show warm yellow or amber washes from above, simulating sunlight, with lights placed at stage edges or rigged overhead to create a bright, natural feel.

Question 9: Why is it important to consider the direction of lighting when designing a stage scene? Provide an example to support your answer.

Answer: Lighting direction affects how actors are perceived and can create shadows or highlight certain areas. For example, lighting from above can mimic natural sunlight, while side lighting can create dramatic shadows on actors’ faces.

Question 10: Describe a scenario where using blackout (turning off all stage lights) would be effective, and explain why.

Answer: A blackout can be used to signify a dramatic pause, transition, or moment of shock. It draws attention to the absence of light, heightening tension or emphasizing a significant event.