Drama Units and Activities
Let The Sunshine In
Unit(s): Fundamentals of Production/Stage Lighting
Purpose:
To illustrate the lighting plot and the light cue sheet as necessary elements in the technical execution of a play
Objective:
Students will construct a lighting plot from step-by-step instructions and will construct a light cue sheet from a short script.
Materials:
- Forms --
- Lighting plot
- Light cue sheet
- Handout -- "Weatherwise"
- Overhead projector, transparencies, markers
- Colored pencils
Procedure:
- Define necessary terms from stage lighting:
a. Light plot
b. Light cue sheet
c. Area lighting
d. Special lighting
e. Instrument
f. Batten
g. Cue
h. Control
i. Reading- Discuss the functions of the light plot and the light cue sheet.
- Give each student the Lighting Plot handout and three colored pencils. Ask them to complete the step-by-step instructions at the bottom of the page. Circulate! They will need assistance.
- Next give each student a copy of the Light Cue Sheet to examine. Give them a copy of "Weatherwise" to read over. Ask them to create a light cue sheet for the scene. Again, they will need assistance.
- This is a tricky assignment for them. I usually end up doing it on the overhead projector along with them, but once they have seen it, it's much easier.
"Weatherwise"
by
Noel Coward
Act I, scene 1
- (When the curtain rises, it is late afternoon, after tea, and the afternoon sun is streaming in windows at R and L. Lady Warple is knitting by the fire. Reggie, Cynthia, and Violet are seated about the room.)
- Cynthia:
- Oh, Mother, do let's do the Ouija Board for awhile. I feel wonderfully eerie inside--we might get thrilling results.
- Violet:
- All right, I'll pull the blinds down.
- (Reggie moves to window at R and pull the blinds down. Then Violet moves to window as L and pulls the blinds down.)
- Cynthia:
- It's not going to be completely dark--there'll be firelight, and I'll light this candle.
- (Cynthia lights candle.)
- Cynthia: (Spelling out):
- WHAT -- DREADFUL -- WEATHER -- OH -- DEAR --
- (Enter Monica and Harold)
- Monica:
- What are you doing in the dark?
- (Monica switches on lamp.)
Lighting Plot
Key
Name_________________
Period_________________
Date__________________
3rd ________________________________________________
2nd _______________________________________________
1st ________________________________________________
Ceiling _____________________________________________
Instructions
- Draw 3 major acting areas.. Number them 1, 2, and 3.
- Draw 6 instruments on the ceiling batten. Number them 1-6.
- Draw 4 instruments on the first batten. Number them 7-10.
- Draw 2 instruments on the second batten. Number them 11 and 12.
- Color code area 1 with instruments 1, 4, 7, and 9. Color code area 2 with instruments 2, 5, 11, and 12. Color code area 3 with instruments 3, 6, 8, and 10.
- Add a special of your choice with the third batten.
- Make a key in the top left corner.
Lighting Plot
The following diagram is a light plot for this scene from "Weatherwise." Use information from the diagram and its key to fill out the lighting cue sheet on the next page.
Key
x=candle
y=lamp
z-windows
M1 (Area 1) - 2,4,5,6
M2 (Area 2) - 1,3,7,8
M3 (Fireplace) - 11,12
M4 (Candle) - 13
M5 (Window) - 9
M6 (Window) - 10
M7 (Lamp) - 14
Light Cue Sheet
Name_________________
Period_________________
Date__________________
| Cue Number | Page Number | Control Number | Area | Cue | Reading |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
