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Light plot

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A light plot or lighting plot is a document similar to a design blueprint used specifically by theatrical lighting designers. It is used by the electrical crew who actually hang the lights, and specifies how each lighting instrument should be hung, focused, colored, and wired.

The plot, which is drafted by the designer or an assistant, contains several elements;

  • A diagram (in top view, formally called a plan view or orthographic projection), which can be either hand-drawn or drafted using a CAD program, of the theatre. The standard scale for the plan is 1/2", although sometimes larger or smaller scales are used, at the discretion of the lighting designer. Since this does not vary on a show-to-show basis, most theatres have a single floor plan that is copied and amended for each show.
    • The plan must contain, first and foremost, the architectural dimensions and features of the building, including walls, floor level, and the ground plan of the audience area.
    • The plan must contain all lighting positions available in the building, including positions on rails, booms, side arms, and catwalk (theatre) areas. All positions are labeled and numbered by their location. Actual lights are not included on this part of the plot.
    • The plan should contain information on the electrical systems of the theatre that pertain to lighting; specifically, the locations of outlets that are connected to the theatre's dimmers.
    • Any rigging (i.e. curtains or drops) should also be marked on the plan.


  • A section view (side view) draft which contains the same information is also often included.
    • The section often does not include information on electrical systems, or contains this information in a simplified fashion.
    • The section sometimes includes lines-of-sight for the audience. This assists in visualizing the audience’s perspective.
    • Like the top-view (plan view), the section does not need to contain information on actual lighting instruments. Information on lighting positions should be present, though not in as much detail as the plan.


  • A drawing, usually with fewer technical details than the theatre blueprint, of the stage and off-stage zones.
    • Included on this plan should be the positions of any scenery which is pertinent to the lighting of the show, including walls, raised platforms, and large props.
    • This part of the light plot is usually somewhat informal, and details that are not important to lighting are usually omitted. Nevertheless, careful attention must be paid to location, scale, and proportion of any elements on the stage.
    • Lines representing the positions of ‘’rigging’’ are usually present.
    • Sometimes the stage area is overlaid with a grid, which assists in proper placement, scale, etc.
    • In shows with moving or changing sets, this part of the plot is sometimes done several times-once for each instance.


  • A plot of lighting zones on the stage--usually numbered using roman numerals, lighting zones represent areas on the set that are lit individually or as part of a larger group.
    • This plan is sometimes copied as a transparency which can overlay the drawing of the stage.
    • In other cases, lighting zones are drawn as part of the stage diagram(s).
    • Any ‘’specials’’, or small areas lit for specific purposes, are marked. Specials are usually labeled by a short name (and sometimes a number) that pertains to their use in the show and is easily identifiable.


  • An instrument overlay, which shows the exact location, species, dimmer/channel number, wattage, focus, color, attributes, and aiming position for every lighting instrument used in the show.
    • This part of the plot uses template symbols, which are usually defined in the ‘’legend’’ or ‘’key’’ section of the lighting plot.
    • This entire plan is done on a transparent overlay which can be placed over the theatre plan. Some designers instead prefer to make a copy of the theatre plan and add this information to it.
    • All information is recorded on the overlay using consistent, easy-to-understand rules, which are often explained in the ‘’legend’’ or ‘’key’’ as well. In addition to the information listed above, designers often add even more data to the plot, depending on personal preference.
    • The overlay also includes lights which are not wired to dimmers but still used in the show, specifically follow spots.

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