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Stage Lighting
This five-day course will introduce participants to the work of an electrics department in the theatre industry and its accessories, including lamps, lenses, lanterns and luminaires.

Key information:
- Course dates:
- Mon 22 – Fri 26 July 2024
- Course times:
- 10am–5pm
- Age:
- 16+
- Art form:
- Production Arts
- Fees:
- £565
- Deadline:
- 5pm, Sunday 30 June 2024
- Level of study:
- Short Courses & Summer Schools (ages 18+) | Short Courses & Summer Schools, Workshops & Saturday Centres (ages 4-18)
- Mode of study:
- In-person
- Venue:
- Guildhall School of Music & Drama
- When:
- Summer Schools (July–August)
Course info
Book Now
- Spaces are limited so early booking is encouraged
- Bookings will close at 5pm on Sunday 30 June 2024 or when the course reaches full capacity
- Please note that accommodation in Sundial Court isn't available in 2024
Ages 16+
Course Dates & Times
Monday 22 – Friday 26 July 2023
10am–5pm
About Stage Lighting
This five-day course will introduce you to the work of an electrics department in the theatre industry and its accessories, including lamps, lenses, lanterns and luminaires. You will get hands-on experience rigging and focusing lanterns, as well as guidance on how to interpret a lighting plan. You will gain an appreciation of how to record and play back the lighting for a small show in a collaborative exercise at the end of the course.
Who is the course for?
- Anyone aged 16 and over with an interest in lighting, either beginners or those with developing levels of experience in using light in a theatrical or narrative context.
- There is no upper age limit on this course. We encourage and welcome participants from all ages 16 and over.
What can I expect?
The course covers:
- Safe working and electrical theory, including a practical plug wiring exercise
- Basic fault finding
- Use of DMX to control dimmers, moving lights, scrollers, etc.
- Advice on how to prepare for a show
- Advice on how to control lights using manual and memory desks
There will also be a tour of the backstage areas of Guildhall's performance spaces to demonstrate how to resource a producing venue.
Course Fee
£565
Participation Bursaries are available for this course. Please note the application deadline for participation bursaries is 29 April 2024.
Book Now
- Spaces are limited so early booking is encouraged
- Bookings will close at 5pm on Sunday 30 June 2024 or when the course reaches full capacity
- Please note that accommodation in Sundial Court isn't available in 2024
Eligibility
- For everyone aged 16+. There is no upper age limit on this course. We encourage and welcome participants from all ages 16 and over.
- Participants must have sufficient English language skills to cope with course demands.
About the Course Tutor
The course is taught by Nick Peel.
Nick started working in lighting while he was a student at the University of Sheffield. He worked in the West End as a fully-fledged lampy and fringe lighting designer and as part of the lighting team in The Pit at the Barbican for several years.
After interludes on tour and at the Mermaid Theatre he ended up as a lighting supervisor with the Barbican International Theatre Event. He has been teaching lighting design and technology at Guildhall School since 2000.
He designs lighting for shows at Guildhall and in other venues, and enjoys working with students of all ages on education projects within and outside of the School.