Where a performance lighting designer can go next
5 destinations recorded, ranked by how much of the target role a performance lighting designer already meets. The closer to the top of Table 1, the less there is to learn.
Performance lighting designers develop a lighting design concept for a performance and supervise the execution of it. Their work is based on research and artistic vision. Their design is influenced by and influences other designs and must be conform with these designs and the overall artistic vision. Therefore, the designers work closely with artistic directors, operators and the artistic team. During rehearsals and performance, they coach the operators to obtain optimal timing and manipulation. Performance lighting designers develop lighting plots, cue lists and other documentation to support the operators and production crew. They sometimes also work as autonomous artists, creating light art outside a performance context.
Also known as lighting designer and technician, lighting technician and designer, theatre lighting designer, lighting designer & technician, lighting technician & designer, lighting designer, performance lighting creator.
Professionals 71 skills on file 5 career moves 5 above 60% overlap Closest: sound designer, 76%
- 70% and above · short step
- 50 to 70% · real move
- Below 50% · substantial retraining
Table 2 · What the job itself asks for
A performance lighting designer needs 42 required skills and areas of knowledge. These 10 are the ones fewest other jobs share, so they say the most about the work.
- supervise plotting of stage lights management skills
- take measurements of performance space information skills
- plan act lighting management skills
- read lighting plans information skills
- design an artificial lighting system communication, collaboration and creativity
- draw up lighting plan communication, collaboration and creativity
- conduct costume research information skills
- research new ideas information skills
- verify feasibility information skills
- analyse the artistic concept based on stage actions information skills
Table 3 · Jobs that lead here
The reverse view: occupations whose skills already cover much of what a performance lighting designer does. The figure is how much of this job each one brings.
- set designer 80% covered · difficulty 35.9
- pyrotechnic designer 79% covered · difficulty 36.8
- costume designer 77% covered · difficulty 39.7
- make-up and hair designer 77% covered · difficulty 39.7
- puppet designer 77% covered · difficulty 39.7
- performance flying director 74% covered · difficulty 42.7
- performance video designer 61% covered · difficulty 55.6
Look up another occupation
Performance lighting designer is filed under Professionals, ISCO major group 2. The full index lists all ten groups.
How these figures were compiled
Overlap is how much of the target role is already part of a performance lighting designer’s work. It is directional: the figure for the reverse move differs. Every entry above opens the full comparison for that move: what carries over, what is missing, and where to start. The full method.