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Mikado Lighting Design University of Central Florida STARS Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2004-2019 2004 Mikado Lighting Design Adrienne M. Becker University of Central Florida Part of the Theatre and Performance Studies Commons Find similar works at: https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd University of Central Florida Libraries http://library.ucf.edu This Masters Thesis (Open Access) is brought to you for free and open access by STARS. It has been accepted for inclusion in Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2004-2019 by an authorized administrator of STARS. For more information, please contact [email protected]. STARS Citation Becker, Adrienne M., "Mikado Lighting Design" (2004). Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2004-2019. 125. https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/125 MIKADO LIGHTING DESIGN by ADRIENNE BECKER B.F.A. University of Central Florida, 2001 A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Fine Arts in the Department of Theatre in the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Central Florida Orlando, Florida Summer Term 2004 ABSTRACT My thesis will encompass the completion of the lighting design for W. S. Gilbert and Sir Arthur Sullivan’s opera The Mikado and a post-production written documentation of the entire production process. The thesis will involve the completion of a lighting design with all of its accompanying paperwork generated in AutoCAD and Excel. The design will require lights for a two act multi-locational musical. Lights will need to provide a bright environment that can transform to the various locales. The entire design process will involve close communication with the entire design team, the director and the shop crew. As lighting designer, I will have to communicate with the Master Electrician and instruct him or her on the proper hang and circuiting of all instruments and provide detailed paperwork to ensure the light plot is hung correctly. With the Master Electrician’s help I will focus and gel all instruments. As lighting designer, I will also write cues and any special lighting effects for the show. During technical rehearsal week I will continue to maintain close communication with the director, making any necessary changes to create a better artistic product. The whole process will involve close collaboration with all of the design areas and an open communication so that lights enhance all elements of the show. As lighting designer, I will have to develop a vocabulary to communicate the abstract ideas of light and communicate them well enough so that the final product is both what the director and I imagined. During this process, I will maintain a journal that details the steps throughout the process and will act as a record of the discoveries and setbacks that occur. I will also provide research to support all of my creative decisions. I will also provide a strong informed basis for the design. The written portion of the Thesis will document the design process from early concept discussions through the completion and opening of the show. The thesis will examine the artistic developments and growth, as well as reflect on the overall success and development of the design. The personal journals maintained throughout the process will be edited and included for insight into daily growth of the design. The inclusion of these journals will also provide insight into the working relationship and nature of my collaboration with all the departments. ii For my son, Avery Michael McGrath. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS...............................................................................................................iv CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION............................................................................................. 1 CHAPTER TWO: FIRST RESPONSE .......................................................................................... 2 CHAPTER THREE: HISTORICAL ANALYSIS.......................................................................... 5 Playwrights ................................................................................................................................. 5 Time and Locale of the Play ....................................................................................................... 8 What is Happening in England ................................................................................................... 9 CHAPTER FOUR: SCRIPT ANALYSIS .................................................................................... 13 Character Breakdown................................................................................................................ 13 Plot Summary............................................................................................................................ 16 The Play’s Theme ..................................................................................................................... 18 CHAPTER FIVE: PRODUCTION PROCESS ............................................................................ 20 December 2002 ......................................................................................................................... 20 January 1, 2003 ......................................................................................................................... 22 January 7, 2003 ......................................................................................................................... 23 January 12, 2003 ....................................................................................................................... 24 January 17, 2003 ....................................................................................................................... 26 CHAPTER SIX: REFINING THE DETAILS.............................................................................. 29 January 20, 2003 ....................................................................................................................... 29 iv January 27, 2003 ....................................................................................................................... 30 January 30, 2003 ....................................................................................................................... 32 Light Plot Summary.................................................................................................................. 34 January 31, 2003 ....................................................................................................................... 37 CHAPTER SEVEN: LOAD IN.................................................................................................... 39 February 3, 2003 ....................................................................................................................... 39 February 10, 2003 ..................................................................................................................... 41 Focus Day February 15, 2003................................................................................................... 41 “Paper Tech” with John February 18, 2003............................................................................. 43 CHAPTER EIGHT: TECHNICAL WEEK.................................................................................. 45 Costume Parade February 20, 2003......................................................................................... 45 Crew Watch February 21, 2003............................................................................................... 46 Dry Technical Rehearsal February 22, 2003 ........................................................................... 47 Cue to Cue February 23 2003 .................................................................................................. 48 CHAPTER NINE: DRESS REHEARSALS ................................................................................ 51 1st Dress February 24, 2003 ..................................................................................................... 51 2nd Dress February 25, 2003 .................................................................................................... 52 Final Dress February 26, 2003.................................................................................................. 55 Opening February 27, 2003 ...................................................................................................... 57 CHAPTER TEN: DESIGN TEAM .............................................................................................. 60 Director John Bell..................................................................................................................... 60 Scenic Designer Joseph Rusnock.............................................................................................. 60 Costume Designer Kristina Tollefson....................................................................................... 61 v Sound Designer Aaron Muhl .................................................................................................... 62 CHAPTER ELEVEN: SUPPORT STAFF ................................................................................... 64 Stage Manager Janelle King ..................................................................................................... 64 Master Electrician Colin Boyd.................................................................................................. 65 Technical Director Dan Giedeman ..........................................................................................
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