Bus Stop:Bus Stop:Light Design

Light Design By: Danielle Lyday

Group 33

Why is lighting important?Why is lighting important?

This play, Bus Stop, is somewhat of a love story. Throughout the entirety of it, there are various moods

on display, some of action, some of emotion, and others filled with genuine entertainment. When lighting comes

into play, it is one of the most important elements. Without light, there would be no visual and with a

visual there would be no play at all.

The Plan

oAssist in Establishing the BaseMoodStyleTime and Place

oMake Sure to MaintainVisibilityShape and Form of Props and CharactersVisual Composition

Mood

The mood of this play is one of warmth and electricity. It is seen as a shelter form the blizzard outside and with

the action that occurs within, makes the atmosphere seem intense.

In Terms of Lighting, I would utilize a mixture of both soft and sharp lights.

Soft lighting would be used for most of the play. While the characters are being introduced, and at time when

the play is at a slower pace.

Sharp lighting will be used in times of action and commotion. This will get the audience’s attention and make them feel a change of pace that is soon to come.

I would make the outskirts of the set dim and slightly put of focus, while the main part of the stage, where the

majority of the action happens, will be sharp and in complete focus.

Style

I am choosing to go in the direction of a realistic lighting design instead of a nonrealistic one because it

will fit the mood of the play best. I believe this to be true because the play has real life situations and

without a realistic lighting design, the audience would either not take the play seriously or think it came off

too dramatic.

Instead of dramatic lighting, with unnatural tints and hues, I am going with natural colors and lighting

appearances.

A lamp to the side of the stage can be used to add illumination to the siting area while a dull overhead

light can provide varied visibility to the that is near off stage.

Hung form above, these lights would give the center stage a soft tone causing a sort of dimmer effect on

the outskirts of the stage.

Time & Place

The stage is set to portray a small town Kansas restaurant set right across form a bus stop between the

hours of 1 and 5 a.m.

Since the play is set indoors, I would try and portray this knowledge through lighting and color change to the

side of the stage.

By using a mix of white, blue, and purple lights, this visual can be accomplished.

Visibility Is Key

After figuring out the initial factors that will need to be shown through lighting in this play, we come to

visibility!

Making sure visibility is maintained, I will make use of the lights both above the stage and overhead in the

house of the theatre. This way, there will never be deep shadows on stage or points of obscured vision.

Shapes & Forms

The lighting will not just come form above the stage, but form the sides and behind the characters and props

on stage as well.

I will use the different angles of light, to make sure all objects on stage are not viewed as two dimensional, but

in real life three dimensions.

Visual CompositionThis is essential in order to make sure visibility is kept

during the most active scenes in the play.

In Act II, some of the characters participate in a show in order to pass the time. As each performer takes on their

acts, I would place a spot light on each, drawing the main focus to the right person.

Also, as Bo goes to pace in his corner by the window, or Will walks out the front door to resume his duties as

sheriff, the lighting will be dimmer.