Taking in a Broadway show is a magical experience for everyone. A night out at the theatre can be whatever you want it to be – pure escapism, a fun evening out, or a journey to a magical land, far, far away.
Creating such an enjoyable experience takes the skill and expertise of many different professionals. From the actors who enthrall us to the stagehands who keep the show going everyone has their part to play.
One of the most important elements of creating the magic we see on stage is the lighting that illuminates the set, creates the mood and adds all the more drama to the action in front of our eyes.
Stage lighting is a skill all of its own, and those that have perfected their craft to work on the stages of Broadway are some of the finest lighting directors and crew in the world. Whether you are watching a dramatic stage show or an all-singing, all dancing musical extravaganza, only the very best lighting techniques will be found here.
What Is Stage Lighting and Why Is It So Important?
Stage lighting is a highly specialized area of theatre and there are many types of lights, special effects and techniques that enhance the look and feel of every Broadway performance.
Without excellent lighting, the magic of Broadway would be lost, and the experience would be nowhere near as amazing as it is.
By adding colored gels to the front of stage lights or lanterns, the mood on stage can be enhanced as they throw different lights onto the actors and the backgrounds.
Broadway lights can also be fitted with what is known as a gobo. This is a sheet inserted on a frame at the front of the light with a design cut into it. It filters the light, creating a picture effect on the stage. Gobo’s add incredible effects that could be used to create dappled lighting to look like the leaves of a forest or cut to create strips of light onstage which look like the bars of a prison.
The world-famous spotlight, on the other hand, has a hard-edged effect and is used to light characters or elements on the stage to focus all of the audience attention on one moment in time.
To create a romantic feel, the lighting experts of Broadway use Fresnel lights that offer diffused lenses, creating a softer lighting effect overall. To add drama, a highly skilled lighting director will add floodlights to produce a clear wide-angled light, that literally “floods” the stage with white or colored lighting for maximum effect.
Finally, the Broadway stage is a great place to use a Strobe light to create fantastic special effects or to give the look and feel of an old-fashioned movie. By producing an intense flashing light, it can make the actor’s movement appear to be jerky, which adds drama when it is used on its own.
Whatever lighting effects you are lucky enough to see next time you catch a Broadway show, every single one of them is guaranteed to delight.
Epic Stage Lighting from Frank Gatto & Associates
Frank Gatto & Associates offer first class lighting solutions for both television and stage. We have worked with some of the world’s most famous networks including HBO, ABC, ESPN, CBS, NBC, Fox, Showtime, Telemundo and Univision.
If we could help light your next event, speak to us today at 561-368-0101.
Frank Gatto & Associates, Inc. are specialists in lighting for television events of all kinds. If you have an event that needs expert lighting, please call us today to see how we can help.
Phone: 561-368-0101
Email: frank@frankgattolighting.com
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