There are several different types of theatrical lighting fixtures, used for different applications. Almost all fixtures have a globe (also called a lamp or “bubble”), a reflector, and a lens. Following is a description of commonly used lighting fixtures and their applications.
Fresnel (pronounced “fren-el”)
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The Hayman Theatre has eight 500w PCs. They can be used for area highlights or soft edge specials.
Profiles
Profiles produce a strong, defined light, and have the flexibility to be used for many applications. They are focused by moving the lens or lenses in relation to the static globe and reflector, and the beam is shaped by shutters. The lens configuration allows a sharp or soft edged beam. The Hayman Theatre has two types of profiles, Pacifics and Acclaim Axial Zoomspots.
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The Hayman Theatre has eight Pacific 12-28s and eight Pacific 23-50s. The 23-50s, being wide and bright, are a good choice for frontlight when given a soft focus. The 12-28s are great for specials, as they can be focused to a hard or soft edge and accurately shaped by the shutters. They can also project gobos and fergos.
Acclaim Axial Zoomspots
Acclaim Axial Zoomspots have a 650 watt lamp, and a beam spread of 18 to 34 degrees. They are much smaller and lighter than Pacifics, but the light is not as bright and they tend to be slightly warmer in colour.
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Unlike conventional or generic theatre lights, that use a tungsten globe, the LED strips have a series of light emitting diodes (LEDs). LEDs are much brighter than tungsten globes of the same wattage. They can also be virtually any colour, and can be changed via the lighting desk from cue to cue, which gives flexibility. LED strips are plugged into straight power, not dimmers. Their colour and intensity is controlled via electronic signals from the lighting desk, known as DMX control.
The Hayman Theatre has 8 6 LED strips, semi-permanantly mounted on the upstage wall of the theatre. They are used together to backlight back light the full stage or one at a time to backlight back light half of the stage.
Moving lights (also called robotic lights or intelligent lights)
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The Hayman also owns 4 Martin MH5 moving lights. These are rigged 2 onstage and 2 on lx3can be rigged in any location. The can be used with the inbuilt gobos and colour wheels. They take some time programming for a showWe also have 2 Robe Pointes. These are the larger moving head profile lights rigged on the ends of LX3. They have a large number or "Gobo" wheels and colours.
With 8 LED Profile units that can be placed anywhere onstage, you have the freedom of having 1000's of colours at ease.
When using moving lights, it is important to consider several factors. As they have many parameters, they often require more programming time than generic lights, which only have one parameter (intensity). The quality of light is quite different from tungsten lights, appearing quite cool compared to the warm tungsten, and they can be difficult to blend in to a wash. Careful planning may also be required to make sure the lights are correctly programmed to avoid live moves, when the light can be seen moving into position. In some circumstances this may be the desired effect, but generally not so in theatre.
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Flood lights produce a very wide, even beam that “floods” the stage with light. They have a long tubular globe and a reflector, but no lens. In the Hayman they are often used as footlights, and can also used to light walls, backdrops, or cycloramas. The Hayman Theatre has six floodlights in stock.
PAR cans
Parabolic aluminised reflector (PAR) lamps consist of a combined globe, reflector and lens, in a simple housing (the “can”). Due to their light weight, bright output and rugged, simple construction, they are commonly used in clubs and music concerts. There is little ability to focus a par can, apart from the position of the oval shaped beam. The lamps come in a range of fixed beam angles and sizes. The Hayman Theatre has a stock of small PAR 16 lamps, often called “birdies,” which may be used for footlights or small scale illumination.
