Light Lab Theater (LLT) Mission

The Light Lab Theater is intended as a student driven performance space which allows advanced theater artists to take risks, grow and, as the name implies, experiment within a process-centric environment.  The projects undertaken in the LLT should focus on creating exciting theater without relying on elaborate production values. 

However, it must be recognized that the LLT is primarily a classroom: The Light Lab.  This Lab serves the department as our primary lighting design/tech studio. This space is being shared by the design faculty and students with the department at large as an additional performance and rehearsal space.  Therefore, all lighting class needs and concerns shall take precedence over those of the Light Lab Theater.

LLT Council

The faculty of TheaterCNU will have all final authority in regards to the LLT.  To aid the faculty in administration of LLT, a Light Lab Theater Council, consisting of three (3) advanced theater majors, will be appointed by the faculty and advised by the lighting design faculty.  This council should include at least one design/tech major with comprehensive knowledge of the Light Lab and its equipment.  The LLT Council’s responsibilities are as follows:

• Review and evaluate all project proposals
• Present project recommendations to TheaterCNU Faculty
• Create a master Lab Usage Calendar including both LLT and Light Lab dates and times
• Ensure sufficient time in the LLT is reserved for class projects and scene rehearsals
• Oversee day-to-day administration of the Light Lab space
• Serve as advisors/producers for LLT productions (one council member assigned per project)
• Current LLT Council: Kristen Merek, kristen.merek.06@cnu.edu, Caity Schmidt,
• schmidt.caitlin@gmail.com, Ashley Promisel, ashley.promisel.07@cnu.edu
  

 Proposals

LLT projects may take many forms, including, but not limited to, full plays, one-acts, staged readings, workshops of new work, senior thesis, class projects and scenes, and experimental pieces.  Students interested in an LLT production must meet/adhere to the following criteria:

• Be a at least sophomore theater major in good standing
• Have minimal or manageable mainstage and/or second season commitments
• Submit a completed LLT Project Proposal form to an LLT Council member by the first Friday of the semester in which the project is to take place.  These forms are available from TheaterCNU faculty and LLT Council members
• Identify a member of the project team who has passed THEA 356 – Lighting Design as the project’s Master Electrician
• Be prepared to take full responsibility for use of Light Lab and the equipment housed therein
• Link to Proposal Form and Format

Light Lab Use Guidelines

In is important to remember that the Light Lab is a classroom first and a performance space second.  LLT project directors will assume personal responsibility for use of the space.  Guidelines for equipment use and normaling of the space must be strictly adhered to.  To “practice professionalism’ includes respecting the space and our fellow artists who share that space.  Guidelines for use of The Lab are as follows:

• The Lab must be normaled in accordance with posted floor plan after every use
• A LLT Usage Checklist must be completed for each rehearsal/performance
• All rehearsals must be scheduled around mainstage, studio, and class commitments
• No one is allowed in the LLT between 11:00 PM and 7:00 AM
• Only designated Light Lab equipment (indicated by color coding) may be used
• No departmental budget will be made available for LLT projects.  Although some departmental resources may be made available (i.e. props, costumes, etc.), students should not assume such availability.  The faculty Technical Director and Costume Designer have sole discretion over the use of props and costumes.
• No permanent structures may be built in the Light Lab as this may interfere with class activities.  Any set pieces must be easily removed and strike must occur immediately following the final performance.
• No sound equipment will be provided by the department.
• Minimal storage will be made available
• No auditions will be held for LLT projects
• To avoid royalty issues, no advertising other than call board postings and word of mouth is allowed
• For reasons of safety, there must always be a minimum of two (2) students present in the space when in use and no more than 48 persons, including cast, crew, and audience may occupy the space at any given time

Lighting

No lighting equipment may be used, including the control board, unless the project’s Master Electrician is present and supervising.  A pre-hung Rep Plot will be permanently hung and focused on the designated performance area.  No one is allowed to alter the position, focus or circuiting of these instruments.

If an LLT proposal identifies a Lighting Designer, who has passed THEA 356, the project may be designated as Rep Plus.  A Rep Plus project may augment the Rep Plot with designated equipment (specials, focus, color, etc.) or create a new performance area other than the designated space.  All Rep Plus designs must be approved by the lighting design faculty and restored immediately and completely following the final performance.

Lab Equipment color coding is as follows:

• RED – Indicates Rep Plot equipment
• YELLOW – Indicates Rep Plus equipment and may be used to enhance LLT projects
• NC – Indicates Lighting Class Only equipment and may not be used for LLT projects

 Combat

As with all TheaterCNU productions, any instances of staged violence or potentially hazardous stage movement must be supervised and approved by the faculty Combat Specialist.