A History of Theatrical Illumination Role of Illumination2 Lighting as part of the theatrical experience. Development of Illumination3 The evolution of lighting techniques and theatrical structures from candles to bulbs. Electricity: its effects and advantages. Typical lighting devices of the 17th to 19th centuries. Illumination today9 Contemporary methods as used in Cirque du Soleil's Dralion. Realizations surrounding the practical process that grew into a profound art Theatrical lighting has undergone significant changes from its first utilization to modern application. Illumination is essential to the theatrical experience we are familiar with. When the lights come up, the mood is set. Lighting in a performance context manipulates the audience's attention to focus on what the director has deemed important. When an actor or space is no longer an integral part the lights around them dim, dismissing that component and refocusing on what is lit. This process regularly dominates our experience at the theatre, yet it is often taken for granted. Evidence of innovative devices to maximize, control, and alter light in early theatre illustrates its importance. Artists such as Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci were called upon to supervise Italian productions (Cunningham 1998). Technical rehearsals, to allow the technicians to work out problems without actors, began as early as the 1800s. This behind-the-scenes art gained significance rapidly with the refinement of theatre. From daylight shining upon a Greek Earls 3auditorium to computerized robotic ERSs synchronized with the music of a Broadway show, light has evolved to become one of the most advanced aspects of performance art today.The Development of IlluminationThe earliest permanent performance architecture did not include facilities for lighting or stage effects. Theatrical structures were open-air auditoriums and thus the only variation in illumination possible, given the t...
