The Lights Team sources the necessary equipment according to the lighting designer’s vision, familiarizes themselves with lighting equipment and how they can be used throughout the show, and assists the cast with lighting equipment setups in their individual shooting spaces.
Being an active member of blueREP has made me realize that while performance is very essential to musical productions, there is so much more to it than the singing, acting, and dancing done by the performers. A lot of the unsung heroes in theatre are part of the production teams, and that includes the Lights team. Working under this specific team has taught me the importance of lighting in theatre and how lights and other tech can be used creatively to set or enhance the tone and vibe for a scene in a production. Learning a wide array of lights cues made me see the significance of proper timing in the theatre because when these cues are executed flawlessly, they mesh well together with the sounds, music, choreography, and other components of the production seen on-stage. More than that, I learned how to work well and coordinate better with other members of the production, especially the people in the tech booth. In the end, I learned about how different theatrical elements are able to complement each other and come together to create a beautiful and cohesive scene.
From the moment I entered Ateneo, I just knew that I wanted to apply for blueREP’s Lights team. While it definitely isn’t the team that is most sought after, or given attention even, I knew that being part of it was the role I wanted to take on. To be able to light up a show in the way you want it to look, in the way that you know the audience will appreciate, whether they notice or not, is absolutely amazing. Even more than that, just the different ways you get to try out what lights can do—whether it is from something as simple as cellophane and a desk lamp, or even as complex as a full-on technical lights board—ets you so excited to learn more about how to make a show great. Most of all though, just being part of any production team makes you feel like you’ve got people on your side who all have one thing in common—you all want to put on a good show. Once a performance is complete, and you finally see the fruits of everyone’s labor come alive on stage, you feel the euphoria resonate in everyone. Just being able to work alongside people who want to bring all these stories to an audience who takes a chance and listens—it makes you carry this love with you for as long as you can remember. And with that love, you can’t help but carry and keep the people, too.
I did not plan on joining the lights team when I signed up for blueREP, but I'm so thankful that by a lucky twist of fate I joined this team! I love working in lights because it requires a different kind of creative mind that makes you look at the production in a different light (no pun intended). It has also taught me to look at the small details because that is what matters. Lights, I feel like, is an underrated team, but is one of the most important aspects of a production. Not only did I learn a lot, but I was able to meet new friends and create memories with them. Being in lights has been a truly memorable experience that I would never change.
