This year, though I am not I'm middle school, I participated in the middle school production by operating and designing the lighting system for Tales from Arabian Nights. Operating the lighting system was definitely a new challenge for me. It's so very different from acting on stage. For one, the lighting system is less forgiving that being on the stage. Unlike actors lights do exactly what you tell them to without fail, if you make a mistake it is glaringly obvious. I had thought that the light board would be obvious and intuitive to operate, and in some ways it is since sliders do exactly what you think they would, but in other ways it is not. Despite my challenges I think I came out of this experience with new skills.
This week I will operate the lighting system for Music Makers, and next year I will operate the lighting system for the school Musical Bugsy Malone. I will also get the opportunity to work the lights for a professional dance company this week. By the end of next year I hope that I will have the skills and confidence with lighting to go on to light the productions I work on as I work towards my goal of becoming a theater professional.
