Lighting Design Apprentice (2024)

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Department/Team: PATP/Lighting

Location: Seattle, WA

Position Reports To: Lighting Associate & Lighting Director

Work Location: In-Person

FLSA Classification: Full-Time/Seasonal/Hourly/Non-Exempt

Benefits: Paid Personal Days, Paid Holidays, Paid Accrued Sick Time Eligible for parking discounts/Orca Card (Bus pass); Comp Tickets

Pay Range: $19.97/hour

Application Deadline: Monday, May 27, 2024

You can apply from your phone by texting “PATPLIGHTING” to (206) 966-4931

ABOUT US

Seattle Rep is committed to producing the highest quality programming, and we believe that our ability to contribute to excellence in the arts depends on building a community whose members come from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and life experiences.

We are part of a growing movement in theater to ensure inclusion of those who have been excluded historically; focusing particularly on racial and ethnic groups, LGBTQ+ people, people with disabilities, and women, ensuring they are at the decision-making table and reflected in our community.

Mission

Seattle Rep collaborates with extraordinary artists to create productions and programs that reflect and elevate the diverse cultures, perspectives, and life experiences of our region.

Vision

Theater at the heart of public life

Values

Artistic Vitality, Sustainability, Generous and Inclusive Practices

ABOUT THE POSITION

Seattle Rep is seeking a Lighting Design Apprentice. As part of our commitment to developing emerging theater artists, we offer a specialized Lighting Design Apprenticeship for applicants who have academic or equivalent early career experience in lighting design and are looking to expand their knowledge to the workings of a large regional theater. This Apprenticeship focuses on two main areas: developing the practical skills of an Assistant Lighting Designer – VW Drafting and paperwork, communicating with vendors, working with a union stage crew, pre-production and planning, etc. – and developing the Apprentice’s design skill set through a series of theoretical design projects including research methods, drawing, storyboarding, model building, etc. The Lighting Design Apprentice will split their time between the rigors of tech and the fast-paced environment of an active production office, honing skills and developing work practices that will guide them throughout their career in Lighting Design. The supervisors for this apprenticeship are Lighting Director Robert J. Aguilar and Lighting Associate Lily McLeod.

TYPICAL DUTIES INCLUDE:
Assistant Lighting Designer in Tech (50%)

  • Serve as the primary Assistant Lighting Designer in the Leo K and the secondary ALD in the Bagley Wright
  • Assist with and lead calling Focus
  • Update plot/paperwork/cue sheet with changes from tech and throughout the tech process, and publish final paperwork to hand off to the Head Electrician for opening
  • Take and organize notes for the Lighting Designer/ALD, and communicate them to the Union stage crew for execution
  • Be exposed to and build relationships with some of the top designers in the country

Administrative duties outside of tech (40%)

  • Use Vectorworks and Lightwright to process incoming design paperwork – check for errors, edit with any updates, communicate questions between designers and the stage crew
  • Draft additional paperwork needed for shows – hang paperwork, ground plans, set electrics install plans, magic sheets etc.
  • Research creative solutions for design challenges/implementation
  • Assist in coordinating purchases and rentals for the Lighting Department
  • Attend production meetings & mandatory staff meetings (All staffs, EDI trainings)

Apprentice Activities (10%)

  • Attend Apprentice trainings, workshops, check-ins, and outings
  • Participate in design projects as time allows – including research images, storyboards, and a final light plot/paperwork
  • Serve as Lighting Designer for the Next Narrative Monologue Competition

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

  • Lighting Design experience at a college level or professional equivalent
  • Prior knowledge of how to read and generate a lighting plot and basic lighting paperwork
  • An understanding of standard stage lighting equipment
  • Aptitude for creative problem solving
  • Self-motivated
  • Able to maintain patience and composure under pressure
  • Attention to detail
  • Work Samples
  • Commitment to racial equity and social justice practices, and a desire to contribute to a more equitable and inclusive work environment

ACCEPTABLE WORK SAMPLES:

One hand or computer-drafted lighting plot with associated paperwork

Either four photographs of your design work or a link to a digital portfolio or website that includes photographs of your design work

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Prior experience with Vectorworks and Lightwright

Seattle Rep is excited about and actively working towards becoming a more diverse, anti-racist organization. We are interested in attracting, developing, and advancing the most talented individuals regardless of their race, sexual orientation, religion, age, gender, disability status or any other dimension of diversity. We strongly encourage people of color, women, LGBTQIA+, veterans, individuals with disabilities, and others from marginalized or underrepresented groups to apply.

Every candidate brings something special to the table. If your experience and skills don’t perfectly align with the job qualifications but you are excited about the role, feel your values align well with the Rep, and are willing to strive for excellence in your work, please apply. We will train the right candidate.

TO BE CONSIDERED:

  1. Review the minimum requirements for the opportunity.
  2. Complete all areas of the online application.
  3. Attach a resume and letter of interest (cover letter).
  4. Submit one letter of recommendation with your application. (Reference letters will not be accepted separately from the application.)
  5. Submit a Work Sample using the below guidelines.

ACCEPTABLE WORK SAMPLES:

  1. One hand or computer-drafted lighting plot with associated paperwork
  2. Either four photographs of your design work or a link to a digital portfolio or website that includes photographs of your design work

Applications will be reviewed once the position has closed.

Seattle Rep has a mandatory COVID vaccination policy for all employees, with accommodations for medical and religious exemptions only.

Lighting Design Apprentice (2024)

FAQs

Do lighting designers make a lot of money? ›

Lighting Designer Salary in California. $64,100 is the 25th percentile. Salaries below this are outliers. $79,000 is the 75th percentile.

How can I get better at lighting design? ›

7 Lighting Design Tips
  1. Assess Illumination.
  2. More isn't Always Better.
  3. Mix it Up.
  4. Kitchens = Functionality + Ambiance.
  5. Look for Layered Lighting.
  6. Step Outside.
  7. Your Home is Yours.

How many hours do lighting designers work? ›

Eight to sixteen hours per day dependant on the requirements provided by the department specialists and the nature of the viewings.

What qualifications do I need to be a lighting designer? ›

Although you don't need a degree to become a lighting technician, subjects such as electrical engineering or physics may be useful for the technical side. There are specialist degree and foundation degree courses that may be particularly useful, including: lighting design. lighting technology.

What do lighting designers charge? ›

How Much Does a Lighting Designer Cost? The cost of hiring a lighting designer varies widely, just like hiring an attorney. It can be as low as $4,300 to as high as $7,100. However, the national average cost of hiring a lighting designer is between $5,050 to $6,120.

What type of design pays the most? ›

11 Highest Paid Design Jobs (2023 Career Guide)
  • User Experience Designer. ...
  • Senior Designer. ...
  • Video Game Designer. ...
  • User Interface Designer. ...
  • Architect. ...
  • Industrial Designer. Median salary according to Indeed.com: $68,224 per year. ...
  • Furniture Designer. StockVault. ...
  • Product Designer. Median salary according to Salary.com: $63,275 per year.
Jan 13, 2023

What is the rule of thumb for lighting design? ›

The general rule is task lighting should be 3 times brighter than your ambient source to avoid eye strain.

What challenges do lighting designers face? ›

However, lighting design also poses many challenges, such as meeting codes and standards, balancing natural and artificial light, creating different moods and effects, and integrating with other systems.

What are the four qualities of a lighting design? ›

Light designers manipulate the controllable qualities of light at their disposal—direction (distribution), intensity, color, and movement—to create their design.

Do you need training to be a Lighting Designer? ›

While you do not need a degree for this role, here are some useful subjects and courses that you can study to gain knowledge and experience. School subjects that are relevant for lighting design are: Drama and Theatre Studies. Art and Design.

What does a Lighting Designer do every day? ›

Lighting designers devise and often manage the lighting for plays, musicals, operas, concerts, tours, television and movie sets, and art installations, to name just a few.

How do I become an effective Lighting Designer? ›

How Do You Become a Lighting Designer?
  1. Pursue a bachelor's degree in lighting or career adjacent majors: ...
  2. Choose between a postgraduate degree, certification or apprenticeship: ...
  3. Earn your postgraduate degree: ...
  4. Complete a certification program: ...
  5. Skip school and find an apprenticeship:
Apr 20, 2023

Can you become a lighting designer without a degree? ›

A bachelor's degree in architectural lighting design, theatrical lighting design, architecture, interior design, or electrical engineering is usually required for most entry-level architectural lighting design jobs.

What is the first step for a lighting designer? ›

The first step in the lighting design process is to read the script and note the various lighting requirements based on the setting and storylines. Each performance will have unique needs to portray its intended meaning and significance to the audience, and lighting can help.

Do lighting designers need knowledge of electricity? ›

Technical Knowledge: Lighting designers must have a solid understanding of lighting equipment, electrical systems, and control technologies. Familiarity with lighting software and programming is also advantageous.

Are lighting artists in demand? ›

Yes, lighting artists are in demand. In fact, it's one of the highest-paying jobs in the 3D animation industry. As you gain more experience, you can earn five to fix figure salary in a year as a lighting artist!

What is the career path of a lighting designer? ›

Lighting designers often follow a standard career path, starting as members of the lighting crew, stagehands, or general-purpose members of the road crew. Before becoming lighting designers, they might work specialized positions like spotlight operator, electrician, console operator, dimmer technician, and programmer.

What is the highest paid designer salary? ›

High Paying Graphic Designer Jobs
  • Graphic Engineer. Salary range: $140,000-$159,000 per year. ...
  • Graphics Artist. Salary range: $127,000-$152,000 per year. ...
  • Mac Artist. Salary range: $127,000-$152,000 per year. ...
  • Brand Designer. ...
  • Design Checker. ...
  • Senior Designer. ...
  • Marketing Designer. ...
  • Senior Graphic Designer.

Do designers make good money? ›

On average, interior designers can earn around $57,060 per year, while fashion designers earn an average of $73,790 per year, and graphic designers bring in about $52,110 annually, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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