Lighting personnel

The role of the lighting designer (or LD) within theatre is to work with the director, set designer, costume designer, and sometimes the sound designer and choreographer to create an overall 'look' for the show in response to the text, while keeping in mind issues of visibility, safety and cost. The LD also works closely with the stage manager on show control programming, if show control systems are used in that production. Outside of the theatre the job of a Lighting Designer can be much more diverse and they can be found working on rock and pop tours,corporate launches, art installation and on massive celebration spectaculars, for example the Olympic Games opening and closing ceremonies.

Lighting technicians are involved with rigging and controlling electric lights for art and entertainment venues (theater or live music venues) or in video, television, or film production. In a theater production, lighting technicians work under the lighting designer and master electrician. In video, television, and film productions, lighting technicians work under the direction of the cinematographer and gaffer. In live music, lighting technicians work under the chief lighting technician, who reports to the production manager.

Lighting technicians are responsible for the movement and set up of various pieces of lighting equipment for visual effects. Lighting Technicians may also lay electrical cables, wire fixtures, install color effects or image patterns, focus the lights, and assist in creating effects or programming sequences.

The Spotlight Operator, Followspot Operator, Followspot or Spot Op is a theatrical technician, defined as a lighting technician, who operates a specialized stage lighting instrument known as a followspot. A followspot is designed to move, change size, beam width, and color easily by hand. Followspotting is often seen as the apprentice role for new technicians, especially electricians, and having the role is occasionally referred to by some members of the run crew as being "a limey", a term derived from limelight.