Theatre Design & Technology - Summer 2006 - 78

USITT RP-2, Recommended Practice for Theatrical Lighting Design Graphics - (2006)
Additional information may include:
* Lighting areas
* Template key
* Color key
* Liability disclaimer
* Union stamp
2.2 Luminaire symbol information
The luminaire symbols used on the light plot should represent the approximate size and shape of the luminaires in
scale (except where computer applications supply more
specific symbols). The symbol should be placed so that its
location reflects its exact hanging point. Unless otherwise
noted, the default spacing between typical fixed focus luminaries is 18" (or 45 cm) to allow for adequate focus range of
each luminaire. When the symbols are placed in relative
locations other than the default, dimension lines or other
measuring notations should be added between the symbols to indicate the distance and to facilitate mounting the
luminaires. It is acceptable to visually orient the angle of
each drawn luminaire to either focus points or 90° axes.
Normally, each symbol should be accompanied by the following information:
* Luminaire number
* Indication of focal length or beam spread as part of
the symbol (where appropriate)
* Indication of any accessories such as templates,
irises, scrollers, top hats, barn doors, etc.
* Channel (or control designation)
* Axis notation for PAR lamps
Additional information may include:
* Focus
* Wattage
* Circuit and/or dimmer number or space for the
electrician to add this information
* Indication of "two-fers"
* Color notation
* Color notation for scrollers
* Template notation

number but rather the host instrument's number. Luminaires
that are inserted between previously numbered fixtures are
assigned the lower luminaire's unit number plus an additional letter (e.g., 3A or 3B). At the designer's discretion, decimal or letter suffixes may also be added to a luminaire's
number. In common practice, multi-circuited luminaries such
as striplights will be assigned a letter with a corresponding
number for each circuit (e.g., A1, A2 and A3 while luminaries with multiple control channels or attributes will often be
represented through a whole number designation of the
unit number followed by a decimal point and number representing specific attributes for the luminaire (e.g., 23.1, 23.2
and 23.3).
* Luminaires on hanging positions perpendicular to
centerline (e.g., battens) are numbered from stage left
to stage right.
* Luminaires on onstage booms or other vertical
hanging positions are numbered from top to bottom,
downstage to upstage.
* Luminaires mounted on FOH positions parallel to
centerline should number starting with the units
nearest to plaster line.
* Luminaires mounted on FOH positions non-parallel to
centerline (box booms) should number starting with
the units closest to centerline.
2.3.3 Designation and numbering of mounting positions
in non-proscenium venues
* Pipe grid positions should be designated by
numbers on one axis of the grid and by letters on the
other axis.
* Other atypical mounting positions may be designated
by compass points or numbering in a clockwise
manner.
* Mounting positions that repeat should be numbered
from a consistent starting point.
* Other atypical hanging positions should be
designated in a fashion that is sensible to the
electricians. Luminaires hung in these positions should
be numbered in an intelligible fashion compatible
with other luminaire designations on the plot.

2.3.1 Designation and numbering of conventional
mounting positions
* Front of House (FOH) positions begin numbering from
the position closest to plaster line.
* Onstage electrics number from downstage to upstage.
* Onstage booms number from downstage to upstage.
* All hanging locations not intersecting centerline are
subnamed by their location relative to centerline.
Ladders, box booms, booms, and such are divided
between stage left and stage right; stage left listed
first.

3.0 The Lighting Section The Lighting Section is a sectional view in which the cutting plane intersects the theatre, typically along the centerline but may intersect any plane that
best illustrates the mounting positions. This drawing provides the most descriptive view of the hanging positions relative to the architectural and scenic elements of the production. While it may be appropriate to compress distance
(horizontal or vertical) in a presentational section, doing so
in the working version reduces its effectiveness.

2.3.2 Numbering luminaires within conventional
mounting positions
Each luminaire receives a unique whole number. If a luminaire has an attachment that alters the beam of an instrument, the attachment will often not receive its own whole

3.1 Information contained in the Lighting Section The
purpose of the lighting section is to communicate spatial
information and relationships of all other elements relative
to the lighting design. The following information should be
represented on the lighting section:

Page 2 of 9 Pages
USITT RP-2, (2006) 6/15/06

THEATRE
SUMMER

2006

DESIGN

TECHNOLOGY

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