The light board operator (commonly referred to as the "Light Op" or "Board Op"), is the electrician who operates and may even program the light board. They are considered part of the "Electrics" Department or LX Department. All non-design elements of lighting will be handled by the LX Department, i.e. electricians. Light board operators mainly are responsible for decoding the light designer's ideas from paper to opening night ready. In some cases, the light board operator is also the light designer.
This position carry outs all the cues for the production, essentially functioning as a "human light switch", from a light board console. The scope of the cues can differ depending on the production needs; examples like cutting all lights so a spotlight can shine on a single actor or dimming lights at the start of a production or even a complex scene incorporating several rapid-fire lighting cues paired to certain sounds. Many cues are even programmed by light board operators, a skill that is necessary for the modern day light board operator.
Light board operators also have to be attentive, being ready for any quick adjustments needed during a live production, where failures or improv can occur at any time. This profession is also not limited to just theaters, any event where lighting is a critical part of the experience, such as concerts or live events, expect to see a light board operator behind the scenes.[1][2][3]
- ^ Schiller, Brad (2021). Living the lighting life: a guide to a career in entertainment lighting. New York, NY: Routledge. ISBN 978-0-367-34933-2.
- ^ McMills, Anne E. (2014). The assistant lighting designer's toolkit. Burlington, MA: Focal Press. ISBN 978-0-415-71121-0.
- ^ Claiborne, Vickie (2014). Media servers for lighting programmers: a comprehensive guide to working with digital lighting. New York: Routledge. ISBN 978-0-415-72189-9.