To LED or not to LED? Thoughts on Stage Lighting
Executive Summary
The option to update entire educational theatre systems from incandescent lighting to LED (light emitting diode) lighting is a popular endeavor for school districts and a lucrative business for theatrical systems designers. Without considering deeper level design ideals and educational requirements, a system may be designed and installed in such a way that is not beneficial to budgets, teaching styles, or actual uses of the theatre in question. Working with a qualified design professional who understands these principles will create a unified system design that will facilitate a positive and beneficial learning environment and a system that will operate well into the future.
Introduction
When working through the design and implementation of lighting solutions in an existing educational theatre space, multiple factors should be considered. Every renovation project that we encounter is different in myriad small facets: existing architectural systems and power controls, existing fixtures, educational goals, facility use cases, and most importantly budget. System designs, especially in renovations, do not fit neatly into boxes associated with consistent budget numbers – theatrical system designers cannot “square foot price” a theatre lighting upgrade. These designs are always tailored to fit the requirements of each individual project.
Design Challenges in K-12 Theatres
Many theatrical design professionals will simply introduce color-changing LED fixtures into an existing system without ascertaining the actual use-cases of a school auditorium. Designing a system with the sole intent of using newer and more interesting technology for its own ease-of-design is a misguided principle. Designers must weigh use-case and educational techniques against existing systems, new fixtures, and associated infrastructure. With increasing pressure from the AEC industry and clients asking us to do more with less, how do we best use project budgets to benefit the educational requirements of a school?
LED Technology in Educational Settings
Theatrical fixtures using LED light engines in the late 2000s tended to be nothing more than a toy rather than a tool, because the fixtures then lacked the output and beam shaping technology required to out-perform an existing incandescent stage light. However, within the past 10-15 years, LED technology in theatrical lighting has surged into a more robust and usable format. Does this boom in technology suddenly destroy the effectiveness, usability, and relevance of incandescent stage lights? Certainly not. The use of incandescent stage lights not only as the basis of design principles, but also as an educational tool, is still viable. Using these fixtures as a method of teaching the foundation of lighting design should not be looked at as the last gasp of a dying industry, but the need to understand how to appropriately use a tool that is prolific in the lighting profession. Furthermore, high school and college students who are learning lighting design should develop an understanding of the nuances between using color changing LED fixtures and incandescent fixtures. These students should be taught to understand the value in the quality of light produced by both pieces of equipment. This nuanced approach to design is an important skill that shouldn’t be lost simply because of advancements in technology but should be protected to ensure that emerging lighting designers understand the ability to work with all types of lighting instruments.
Case Study : High School Theatre Renovation
SM&W is currently working on a project in a Colorado high school that is roughly 25 years old, with theatrical systems that have not been upgraded since the school was opened. During a site visit, the SM&W design team happened to walk into a rehearsal for the school’s fall show. Through conversation with the faculty and listening to the students as they worked, it became clear that this specific space is used for educational theatre – not only as a general-purpose auditorium. Students were learning through hands-on involvement the practice of working on stage and behind the scenes with all types of technical equipment. This backstage view informed us that our decisions regarding the upgrades of the systems reflect the educational nature of the space and are correct and worthwhile. Understanding that the auditorium serves as a truly educational theatrical space shows us that we need to elevate the functionality and usability of the theatrical systems to assist the staff in teaching the next generation of theatre designers.
One of the most important aspects of redesigning a space to meet educational requirements is addressing the power control systems relating to new and existing fixtures. Due to the age of the building and the systems in it, this high school theatre was not designed to have LED fixtures in it – they simply did not exist in a usable form at that point. The existing incandescent fixtures operate on line-voltage dimmers, as is typical of a system of this age, however, the electronic functions of dimmed power will damage LED power supplies over time. Rather than remove and completely replace the existing systems, a more cost-effective and use-case focused solution would be:
• Adding new LED fixtures into the existing system where appropriate
• Updating existing power control processors and control modules for appropriate use with LED and incandescent fixtures
• Updating the architectural control systems to include capabilities for controlling LED and incandescent fixtures
• Cleaning, updating, and rehabilitating existing incandescent fixtures
• Creating a repertory lighting plot to be used as an educational tool
• Providing resources and training for staff and students regarding the maintenance and operation of these systems.
Conclusion
Each of our K-12 theatre projects requires careful consideration of not only the space itself but of the people using it. While LED stage lighting technology continues to advance into better, brighter, and more controlled fixtures, the educational importance of a varied approach to teaching lighting design should not be overshadowed by new technology. The ability to mix new and old techniques in an educational space creates a truly valuable and useful experience for students. Our expertise as educational theatre practitioners, designers, and equipment experts informs our system designs, and will enrich the use of a theatre space for years to come.
