WICKED Lighting: Lighting Plot

Summary

In this behind-the-scenes look at the lighting design for *Wicked*, the creative team discusses the artistic and technical process that brought the production to life. The lighting design is rooted in traditional techniques, with a focus on storytelling and directing the audience's attention. Key to the design is the concept of portraying the world of *Wicked* through a crystal ball, highlighting the beauty of the characters. The team also shares insights into the detailed light plot, the collaboration with engineers, and the ongoing innovation in the production, such as the addition of green LEDs. The experience of being part of *Wicked* is described as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, underscored by the emotional impact of audience reactions.

Takeaways

• 😀 The lighting design for *Wicked* focuses on storytelling, with an emphasis on guiding the audience's attention through light.
• 😀 The lighting design process involves combining old-school craft with modern technology to create a visually compelling experience.
• 😀 A key concept for the *Wicked* lighting design is the idea of viewing the world through a crystal ball or jeweler's display, highlighting the two main characters.
• 😀 The lighting plot is an architect's drawing that represents the physical placement of lights in the theater, helping to bring the director's vision to life.
• 😀 Lighting fixtures are planned in detail, including their positions, types, and gel colors, ensuring flexibility for directors and choreographers.
• 😀 The light plot serves as a record of light placement and can be used as a reference for future productions in different venues.
• 😀 The London production of *Wicked* incorporated a green LED array into the set, which was later adopted in other productions for its aesthetic appeal.
• 😀 The lighting team continues to innovate and reinvent aspects of the production, enhancing the audience's experience with new features like the green LED array.
• 😀 The experience of working on *Wicked* is described as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for those involved in its production.
• 😀 The powerful audience reactions, including thunderous applause, are cited as the ultimate payoff for theater artists, affirming the success of the production.

Q & A

What is the primary focus of the lighting design for *Wicked*?

The primary focus of the lighting design for *Wicked* is to support the storytelling by guiding the audience's attention and helping convey the narrative through visual effects.

How do the lighting designers approach the creation of lighting for *Wicked*?

Lighting designers approach the creation of lighting for *Wicked* by blending traditional craft with modern technology, using lighting as a tool to tell the story and create mood, focusing on where the audience should look at any given moment.

What was the concept behind the lighting design in *Wicked*?

The concept behind the lighting design was to view the world through a 'crystal ball' or a jeweler's display, focusing on the two main characters as 'gems' that needed to be illuminated from within the story they were telling.

What is a light plot, and how is it used in *Wicked*?

A light plot is a detailed drawing that shows the placement and specifications of all the lights in the theater. It helps in organizing and planning where lights will be positioned and ensures flexibility for different performances.

Who is responsible for implementing the lighting design in *Wicked*?

The lighting design is implemented by the head electrician and production engineers, with Brendan Quickly being the head electrician for *Wicked*, ensuring the lighting setup is executed as planned.

What key details are included in the light plot?

The light plot includes details such as the positions of lights, the type of fixtures used, the gel color for each light, and focus notes that specify where each light should be directed.

How does the light plot help when moving the production to different venues?

When moving the production to a new venue, the light plot serves as a base reference, allowing the lighting team to recreate the original design and make any necessary adjustments for the new space.

What innovation was introduced in the London production of *Wicked*?

The London production introduced a green LED array in the set design, which was so well-received that it was incorporated into other productions of *Wicked*.

How does the creative team continue to enhance *Wicked* across different productions?

The creative team continues to enhance *Wicked* by reinventing aspects of the production, such as the lighting and set elements, to improve the audience's experience and adapt the show to different venues and audiences.

What makes working on *Wicked* a once-in-a-lifetime experience for the creative team?

Working on *Wicked* is considered a once-in-a-lifetime experience because of the scale of the production, the ongoing innovations, and the emotional payoff of seeing the audience's reactions, such as thunderous applause, after a performance.