Theatre Design & Technology - Spring 2011 - 30

specialized ventilation equipment for use with coatings or
its second phase in December 2010. The 120-watt incandescent
solvents. Now only water-based coatings and paints are used
floods have been replaced with 15-watt LED direct-replacement
in scenic art. Some existing scenic art products (e.g., Iddings
lamps. A casual field test by a staff electrician indicated that the
Deep Colors, manufactured by Rosco) are low-VOC (volatile
LED lamps consume approximately 10% of the power used by
organic compounds) paints as well. The rule of thumb is that
the conventional lamps. The color temperature and dimming
no product can be used as a colorant, coating, or sealer if it
properties have matched the older incandescent lamps' percannot be cleaned up with plain soap and water. Fumes from
formance. While the dimmer profile for the house lights had to
water-based paints are less problematic, excess paint doesn't
be rewritten on the lighting desk, these lamps now dim in and
require hazardous materials disposal, and solvents aren't
out beautifully. The lamps are sold through a U.S. distributor
needed for cleaning brushes.
and manufactured overseas. A number of different lamps from
The costume shop was also scrutinized. Since there is not
myriad sources were tested in the space. This is the only LED
appropriate ventilation for use of dye, spray adhesives, spray
direct replacement lamp that worked.
starches, or other propellants, these items
were phased out. Eventually hair spray
The lighting students are currently testing use
and makeup room cleaning materials with
aerosol propellants will be phased out as
of the widest angle pAR-38 LED lamps to light a
well. Phosphate-based detergent, chlorine
translucent backdrop...
bleach, and commercial fabric softeners
have been eliminated in the costume shop
whenever possible. They have been replaced
with organic soap nuts and oxygen-based bleaches. Baking soda
The lamps are available in 15-, 30-, and 45-degree beam
and/or vinegar have replaced chemical fabric softeners when
angles in the same housings and wattages. They are also availneeded. Costume designers now look for fabrics that support
able in a warm (3000K) and cool (6000K)color temperature.
their designs but can be laundered instead of dry cleaned.
The warm color temperature matched the existing incandescent lamps in early testing. A set of LED lamps in several beam
angles to accommodate the change of distance from the house
Energy savings
lights to the seats as the house slopes were selected for purchase. All of the incandescent house and lobby lights have been
SU's original lighting equipment was part of the
replaced with the LED lamps. Direct energy use is significantly
package purchased when the Bangsberg Performing Arts Cencut, and the lower temperature of the lamps has also reduced
ter opened in 1969, supplemented by smaller purchases of fixthe need for climate control.
tures that were ten to twenty years old. Each of the almost 100
While none of the anticipated issues materialized during
lobby and house light fixtures used a 120-watt incandescent
the LED house lights testing phase, two unexpected difficulties
lamp. In 2008, an audit of the energy used by current theatre
did arise. The house light fixtures were designed to have a
facility lighting was completed based on estimated annual usperson standing on the auditorium floor replace the lamp
age and current equipment wattages. Since the main stage and
using a suction cup on a very long pole. The concrete risers
black box theatre were part of a larger performing arts strucfor the seats in the house are too narrow for the use of a lift
ture, there was no way to scientifically measure discreet energy
or scaffolding, and there is not an architectural structure to
usage separate from the music recital hall, offices, classrooms,
support an extension ladder safely. The LED lamps did not fit in
art gallery, and other rooms in Bangsberg.
the suction cup for the smooth incandescent lamps because of
Theatre students and faculty joined students and staff
the irregularities in the heat sink on the edge. The LED lamps
from the BSU Sustainability Office as a grant writing team
are also heavier than the conventional lamps. This makes them
which was ultimately awarded a $20,000 grant from the
more difficult to control on the end of a 36´-long pole held
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to reduce the carbon
vertically. Ultimately a commercially made basket was reshaped
footprint of several buildings on campus. Theatre focused
enough to accommodate the LED lamps.
on the Bangsberg Main Stage Theatre facility while the
The second problem was that the house light fixture cans
Sustainability Office worked on the part of the grant for two
are actually held in place by the screwed-in lamp. The shorter
other buildings on campus. Between the grant itself and
neck of the LED replacement lamps did not allow the lamp
matching funds, approximately $35,000 was available to
to thread through the can. After completing a show tech and
upgrade the lighting in the theatre facilities. Replacing older
run with a row of LED lamps in the fixtures with the outer can
1000-watt conventional units with new Source Four units
removed; it was determined that the controlled beam of the
reduced energy usage significantly.
LED eliminated the need for the can.
Beta testing of some dimmable LED lamps manufactured
The same manufacturer also produced a prototype LED
by Earth LED for use in the lobby and house lights completed
lamp for a beta test in the stair courtesy light fixtures. This smaller

theatre design

& technology

spring 2011

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Theatre Design & Technology - Spring 2011