A good variety of suggestions. I can't suggest a specific board, but my suggestion to
anyone reading this who is also in the throws of purchasing a new light board, is that the equipment you decide to get must be determined by '
Designing Backwards' – by first answering questions about how your program is run as well as your comfort level with light boards, and then looking for equipment that best suits your situation.
It seems like you may be comfortable running light boards, but others reading this post because they're in the same situation may not be. I've seen too many Drama teachers tearing their hair out over state-of-the-art equipment that has been provided without any regard as to how the theatre program is run and the 'tech comfort' level of the person running the program, to the point that they never end up using their equipment to the full potential - in one case in one school I was hired to design at, the light board had not been used for a year and a half after installation(!). The more complex anyone's theatre program and the more sophisticated anyone's lighting equipment, the more someone is needed who is comfortable with the light board, teaching the light board's operation to students every year, and available to run the light board for others. It doesn't sound like this is the case with you, but for others, in a situation where there is no one comfortable with the light board then it's best to get a light board that is straightforward and simple to operate. So, to
anyone considering a new light board, be sure to get equipment that suits your theatre program and your own tech comfort level. Only each Drama teacher knows what's right for their situation, but consider carefully, because that board is going to be in your theatre for a long time.
For
anyone considering a new light board, here's some questions to ask yourself first. You may think of more, but the point is to look at your program, your staffing, and the level of comfort of the person who will be teaching the board,
first,
then ask your supplier to find a board that fulfills your situation.
Design Backwards.What is your comfort level with running light boards?
If you have LEDs what is your comfort level with patching them?
Do you have a Rep Plot?
If you have a black box theatre, will you always use it in the same configuration that will allow for a Rep Plot, or will you frequently be changing the light plot around for individual shows? Who will do this? Who will re-patch the board each time? During what time period will this re-hang, re-focus and re-patch happen - during a class, after school?
Does your theatre program have a CTE certified tech theatre teacher, or do you do all the tech?
Who works with the students to teach them how to run the equipment and mentor them each year?
Is there vocational training for students each year, and who provides this?
Do your digital native students tend to know more about how to run your light board than you do?
Do older students teach younger students each year, or do you teach new students on the operation of the light board each year?
Is your theatre rented to outside users?
If so, is your theatre staffed by professional technicians/TD/TM, or are you a one-person-show?
If so, are outside users expected (and permitted?) to be able to run the equipment on their own, or will there be staff and/or student crews who run the equipment for them?
Do other groups in your school use the theatre (concerts, variety shows, meetings), and if so who else needs to learn how to operate the equipment, or is tech provided for them?
Who is responsible for restoring the equipment back to rep after each show/event in preparation for the next user?
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Beth Rand, EBMS
Educational Lighting Designer
School Theatre Operations Coach
www.PRESETT.org- HIGH SCHOOL THEATRE OPERATIONS BOOKS (http://www.presett.org/helpful-books.html)
- LIGHTING INSTITUTE FOR THEATRE TEACHERS - ONLINE MINI COURSES (http://www.presett.org/litt.html)
- HIGH SCHOOL THEATRE OPERATIONS ONLINE COURSE (http://www.presett.org/tmt.html) - NEW! INDEPENDENT STUDY for those who don't have time to join a cohort!
- THE ECLECTECH SHOPPE (http://www.presett.org/eclectech.html)
beth@PRESETT.orgWestminster, CO
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Original Message:
Sent: 05-01-2019 08:39
From: Joel King
Subject: New light board for new black box theatre
All the suggestions seem pretty good. I use an ETC Element in my black box. Easy to use and has a lot of flexibility for a small blackbox using various types of instruments. We run LEDS, fresnels, and strips light at one point or another.
https://www.goknight.com/etc-element-40-500-lighting-console-repair/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwh6XmBRDRARIsAKNInDE_6B8c2TtgTEH5FXQlmOqrwAZob425RLoaxnACrlCZGCSg_1eLBj0aAkwWEALw_wcB
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Joel King
Atlanta GA
Original Message:
Sent: 04-30-2019 13:35
From: John Rowe
Subject: New light board for new black box theatre
Hello,
I just moved into a brand new theatre and would like to update our light board. We have several par cans, source 4 jr., fresnels and about a dozdn LED pars. We are currently using a Leprechan 624 that is showing signs of it's age.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
John
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John Rowe
Theatre Teacher, Advisor Washington Street Players
Independent School District of Boise
Boise ID
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