KC/ACTF-5 and USITT sponsors a lighting design workshop for undergraduate and graduate students in conjunction with the Regional Festival. This workshop is for those students with an interest in the area of lighting design and provides an opportunity to share ideas and compete with other students in an adjudicated workshop.
AWARDS: There are two awards in the amount of $100 presented in conjunction with this workshop.
1. Any undergraduate or graduate student enrolled for at least 6 hours at any college or university associated with, or that is in KC/ACTF Region V or USITT Northern Boundary or Heart of America Sections is eligible to compete.
2. FORMAT: for each entrant
a. A common light plot will be provided to each entrant. To enter the
competition and receive a copy of the common plot and instrument schedule,
write to:
Robert W. Welk Dept. of Dramatic Arts University of Nebraska-Omaha Omaha, NE, 68182-0154 (402) 554-2486 rwelk@unomaha.edu
b. Each entrant is to select a piece of music from 3-5 minutes in length and design compositional light appropriate to the music. Each entrant will provide two or more objects of their choice to light during the performance. The choice of music, properties and lighting "looks" should reflect a personal relationship to the work, a personal vision. A story need not be told. The objects may or may not move.
c. Each design should show evidence of the use of side light, top or back light and three dimensional front light.
d. Each design must include the following appearances: color change on the object(s), change object to background contrast (through color or intensity), focus change from one object to another (through color, intensity, or direction of throw) and reshaping of the object(s) (through color, intensity, and direction change).
e. None of the fixtures from the common plot may be refocused but may be recolored. Each entrant may hang up to five specials. Each design may incorporate up to 15 fixtures including: fixtures from the common plot, specials and any motivational light source (provided by the designer). (A strip light counts as one fixture.)
f. Each entry must include:
-an entry form
-a statement of concept or approach to the design problem; the designers
intent in bringing together the selected music, props and lighting materials
(include the title of the music) -a descriptive
cue sheet-statements of how the cue advances the concept
-a light plot (including scenic pieces)
-a color key or compass
-section(s)
-an instrument or hook-up schedule (fixture type, location, purpose,
load circuit, dimmer #, color) -a track sheet (show planned level changes
from cue to cue)
-a board operator's cue sheet/preset sheets Each element
must be clearly identified (on the back only) with the designer's name
and return address.
g. On the basis of the paperwork submitted, 6-8 designers will be selected to realize their designs during the Festival on either Thursday or Friday. The selection process will occur on Wednesday, January 20, 1999, and the finalists' names and the performance schedule will be posted no later than 4:00 p.m. on the Bulletin Board in the Fisher Theater Lobby and the registration desk at the Scheman building.
3. FORMAT FOR THOSE SELECTED TO BE FINALISTS:
a. Each finalist will be assigned to either Thursday or Friday,
January 21 or 22. On each day, the designers will meet at 8:00 a.m.
to hang, focus and color the specials required and to color fixtures from
the common plot. (Some recoloring of common plot fixtures will occur during
rehearsal and performance times to meet the requirements of each design.)
b. Each designer will then be given 1/2 hour to write cues.
c. After each designer has written cues, each designer will receive
15 minutes in which to rehearse his/her performance.
d. Public performance of the designs will begin promptly at 1:30
p.m. on Thursday and Friday, January 21 and 22. Following the performance,
there will be a verbal critique for the designers.
e. Strike of the "special" fixtures will follow the critiques
and continue until completed.
f. The entire process, from hang to strike, will be evaluated
as part of the project.
g. Miscellaneous notes for the selected finalists:
-The performance time should be 3-5 minutes. Performances will
be terminated at 5 minutes.
- Each designer selected for the finals may use one crew member to
assist in the hang, focus, recoloring and strike.
-The paperwork for each design finalist will be displayed during the
Festival. Consequently, each entrant should retain one copy of all
paperwork to use during the finals if he/she is selected.
-The descriptive cue sheet is different from a board operator's cue
sheet and, in words, should describe how each cue advances the concept.
-Be careful that lyrics, scenery and properties do not carry a disproportionate
amount of meaning for this project--this is a lighting demonstration.
-The color key or compass is a graphic illustrating direction of throw
for each selected color filter and should appear on the light plot.
-Fixtures (other than motivational), cable, mounting positions, dimmers,
control and sound system will be provided. Each designer must
provide their own color filters.
-Please have your music recorded on cassette.
4. Each entrant must submit an entry fee of $10.00. You may enter only one design for the competition.
5. Entries must be wrapped in such a way so that they can be returned in their original wrapping. Entrants or their representative may pick up their entries at the close of the workshop/ competition on Saturday. This is encouraged. All others will be promptly returned by mail.
6. The Kennedy Center/American College Theater Festival-Region Five, and USITT sections of Northern Boundary and Heart of America accept no responsibility for damage or loss of any entry, regardless of cause.
7. There will be a verbal critique of each finalist following the completion of the performance on each day. Entrants who were not selected will be provided a brief critique.
8. Questions regarding the competition should be addressed to Robert W. Welk, Thayer Lighting Design Workshop/Competition Coordinator, at the address above.
9. This event is sponsored by:
Strong International 4350 McKinley Omaha, NE 68112 (402) 453-4444
Electronic Theatre Controls, Inc. 3030 Laura Lane Middleton, WI 53562 (800) 688-4116
Heartland Scenic Studio 1308 Jackson Street Omaha, NE 68102 (402) 341-9121402
JTH Lighting Alliance 1301 Corporate Center Drive Suite 150 Eagan, Minnesota 55121 612.456.0806
Other contacts:
Jim Trenberth, Thayer Host Theatre-210 Pearson Hall Iowa State University 514.294.0192 jtrenber@iastate.edu
J. David Blatt, Design Co-Chair Theatre-Wichita State University 1845 North Fairmount Wichita, KS 67260-0153 316.978.3418 Blatt@twsuvm.uc.twsu.edu
Paul Sannerud, Design Co-Chair Theatre-Cornell College Mount Vernon,
IA 52314 319.895.4233 Sannerud@cornell.iowa.edu