USITT RP-2, Recommended Practice for Theatrical Lighting Design Graphics - (2006)

Preamble nated with other members of the production team who are
The original Graphics Standards Board noted that a standard using the same document to create other drawings. This
is an example for comparison and an authority, which serves avoids confusion between the draftspersons or the end
as a model. It should be noted that this model cannot hope users. When a lighting graphic symbol is created with
to cover all possible situations encountered during the draft- “labels,” attention must be paid to the relative orientation
ing of a light plot or section and thus should be viewed as a of both the symbol and its associated text. When a symbol
guide that theatrical lighting practitioners use to create their is inserted into a drawing, the associated text should be
drawings. This document, therefore, represents a “recom- properly oriented with the rest of the text in the drawing.
mended practice.” The terms instrument and luminaire are The luminaire symbols that are included in some computer
used interchangeably throughout the document to designate applications may be specific to various manufacturers’
lighting luminaries while other equivalent designations may equipment rather than the generic symbols provided in this
also include fixture, unit and lantern. This document also document. Nevertheless, the size and designation of the
does not seek to represent a specific manufacturer of lighting luminaires used should follow these generic symbols as
equipment but suggests common instruments in general use. closely as possible.
The result is a group of generic instrument types that can be
adapted to specific uses as necessary rather than an attempt 2.0 The Light Plot
to present a symbol for each luminaire available. The Light Plot is a composite plan drawing that provides the
most descriptive possible view of the luminaries so that the
The purpose of this document is to establish a standardized production staff can most efficiently execute the design
language among lighting designers and anyone else who intent. It may consist of more than a single plate; however, all
needs to understand or execute such a design. In practical plates should be the same size to facilitate reproduction.
terms, this document is intended to provide guidelines so Distances between front of house hanging positions and
that anyone, ranging from technicians who hang the lumi- the playing area can be compressed in a light plot.
naires to other members of the production team, can clear-
ly understand the intent of the lighting designer. 2.1 Information contained in the Light Plot
Normally, the light plot should include all information neces-
1.0 Introduction sary to assure clear understanding of the designer’s inten-
Legibility and consistency should determine the graphic tions. The location and identification data of every lumi-
choices made in the drafting of both CAD and hand-drafted naire, accessory, and specialty unit should be represented
drawings. USITT, or modified ANSI three-line thickness stan- on the light plot, along with the following information:
dard drafting practices, may be employed as set forth in the • The centerline
USITT Scenic Design and Technical Production Graphic • A lineset schedule when appropriate
Standard of 1992 (reissued April 15, 1999). Complex draw- • A ruler or some other indicator of distance left and
ings may require the use of three- or four-line thicknesses. right of ceterline in scale
Luminaire outlines should take visual precedence over other • A ruler indicating on-stage distances up and down
information on the lighting design drawings. stage (or the 90° axis to centerline) in scale
• A drawn representation of the edge of the stage
The graphical representation of a lighting design normally where applicable
consists of two categories of documents: the Light Plot and • A drawn representation of the edge of the playing
the Lighting Section. Preferably, the documents are pro- area where applicable
duced in 1/2” = 1’-0” scale. Other scales, such as 1/4” = 1’- • Basic scenic elements
0”, 3/8” = 1’-0”, 1:25 or 1:50 (if working in SI or metric) may • All scenic masking
be used after considering the size of the architectural space, • All architectural and scenic obstructions
the overall size of the document and reproductions, the • The proscenium arch, plaster line, smoke pockets, or
number of individual luminaries, and the desired legibility of other architectural details necessary to orient the
their text and numeric attributes. A complete lighting lighting design in flexible spaces
design requires additional paperwork such as channel • Trim measurements for movable mounting positions
hookups and shop orders not addressed in this document. should read from the stage level surface (or other
Generally, the light plot should include all information neces- common point of reference) to the pipe (or mounting
sary to assure clear understanding of the designer’s inten- position)
tions. • Trim heights to boom positions measure from bottom
of the boom base to the side arm or clamp
1.1 Special Considerations for CAD drawings • Identification (label) of hanging/mounting positions
Computer assisted drawings should follow the same recom- • The legend or instrument key designating symbol
mended practice as those drawn by hand. However, several type and notation in the light plot
additional considerations should be made. Layer, class desig- • The title block (see Section 4)
nation, line weight, and color assignment must be coordi- • Sightlines

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 USITT RP-2, Recommended Practice for Theatrical Lighting Design Graphics - (2006)

Additional information may include: number but rather the host instrument’s number. Luminaires
• Lighting areas that are inserted between previously numbered fixtures are
• Template key assigned the lower luminaire’s unit number plus an addition-
• Color key al letter (e.g., 3A or 3B). At the designer’s discretion, deci-
• Liability disclaimer mal or letter suffixes may also be added to a luminaire’s
• Union stamp number. In common practice, multi-circuited luminaries such
as striplights will be assigned a letter with a corresponding
2.2 Luminaire symbol information number for each circuit (e.g., A1, A2 and A3 while luminar-
The luminaire symbols used on the light plot should repre- ies with multiple control channels or attributes will often be
sent the approximate size and shape of the luminaires in represented through a whole number designation of the
scale (except where computer applications supply more unit number followed by a decimal point and number repre-
specific symbols). The symbol should be placed so that its senting specific attributes for the luminaire (e.g., 23.1, 23.2
location reflects its exact hanging point. Unless otherwise and 23.3).
noted, the default spacing between typical fixed focus lumi- • Luminaires on hanging positions perpendicular to
naries is 18” (or 45 cm) to allow for adequate focus range of centerline (e.g., battens) are numbered from stage left
each luminaire. When the symbols are placed in relative to stage right.
locations other than the default, dimension lines or other • Luminaires on onstage booms or other vertical
measuring notations should be added between the sym- hanging positions are numbered from top to bottom,
bols to indicate the distance and to facilitate mounting the downstage to upstage.
luminaires. It is acceptable to visually orient the angle of • Luminaires mounted on FOH positions parallel to
each drawn luminaire to either focus points or 90° axes. centerline should number starting with the units
Normally, each symbol should be accompanied by the fol- nearest to plaster line.
lowing information: • Luminaires mounted on FOH positions non-parallel to
• Luminaire number centerline (box booms) should number starting with
• Indication of focal length or beam spread as part of the units closest to centerline.
the symbol (where appropriate)
• Indication of any accessories such as templates, 2.3.3 Designation and numbering of mounting positions
irises, scrollers, top hats, barn doors, etc. in non-proscenium venues
• Channel (or control designation) • Pipe grid positions should be designated by
• Axis notation for PAR lamps numbers on one axis of the grid and by letters on the
other axis.
Additional information may include:
• Focus • Other atypical mounting positions may be designated
• Wattage by compass points or numbering in a clockwise
• Circuit and/or dimmer number or space for the manner.
electrician to add this information • Mounting positions that repeat should be numbered
• Indication of “two-fers” from a consistent starting point.
• Color notation • Other atypical hanging positions should be
• Color notation for scrollers designated in a fashion that is sensible to the
• Template notation electricians. Luminaires hung in these positions should
be numbered in an intelligible fashion compatible
2.3.1 Designation and numbering of conventional with other luminaire designations on the plot.
mounting positions
• Front of House (FOH) positions begin numbering from 3.0 The Lighting Section The Lighting Section is a section-
the position closest to plaster line. al view in which the cutting plane intersects the theatre, typ-
• Onstage electrics number from downstage to upstage. ically along the centerline but may intersect any plane that
• Onstage booms number from downstage to upstage. best illustrates the mounting positions. This drawing pro-
• All hanging locations not intersecting centerline are vides the most descriptive view of the hanging positions rel-
subnamed by their location relative to centerline. ative to the architectural and scenic elements of the pro-
Ladders, box booms, booms, and such are divided duction. While it may be appropriate to compress distance
between stage left and stage right; stage left listed (horizontal or vertical) in a presentational section, doing so
first. in the working version reduces its effectiveness.

2.3.2 Numbering luminaires within conventional 3.1 Information contained in the Lighting Section The
mounting positions purpose of the lighting section is to communicate spatial
Each luminaire receives a unique whole number. If a lumi- information and relationships of all other elements relative
naire has an attachment that alters the beam of an instru- to the lighting design. The following information should be
ment, the attachment will often not receive its own whole represented on the lighting section:

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 USITT RP-2, Recommended Practice for Theatrical Lighting Design Graphics - (2006)

• Definition of where the section is “cut” • Contact information (telephone and fax numbers,
• Stage floor, deck, or “vertical zero” location (indication e-mail addresses)
of which one is being used as reference zero)
• Proscenium, plaster line, smoke pocket, or the 5.0 Legend or Instrument Key
Placement is acceptable in any location that does not con-
“horizontal zero” location
flict with other information.
• Back wall or upstage limitation of the performing space
• Vertical audience sight points and/or sightlines 5.1 Information contained in the legend or
• Downstage edge of stage floor and/or edge of playing instrument key:
area • Pictorial representations (symbols) of all luminaires and
• Architectural details necessary to orient the lighting devices shown on the plot with identifying descriptions
design in non-proscenium spaces of each.
• All hanging positions including side elevation of • Beam spread (in degrees or focal length) for each
booms, ladders, etc. luminaire type if the numeric value is not part of the
• Trim height for all hanging positions that can change luminaire’s name
height • Designation of all notations associated with each
• Identification of all lighting positions luminaire.
• Architectural and scenic obstructions • Color manufacturer designation (e.g., R = Rosco, L =
• Sectional view of scenery Lee, G = Gam, etc.)
• All masking • Template manufacturer designation (when applicable)
• Title block (See Section 4) • Wattage (total luminaire load) and/or ANSI lamp code
• Scaled representation of the luminaire that determines • Symbols for any accessories – templates, irises, color
batten height mounted in each position. scrollers, top hats, barn doors, etc.
• Human figure (or “head height”) in scale
Additional information may include:
Additional information may include: • Luminaire manufacturer • Representation of
• Vertical ruler in scale “two-fers”
• Horizontal ruler in scale • Indication of voltage
• Defined distance to other elements not shown on the
drawing (to follow spot booth, other sightlines, etc.) 6.0 Symbol Guidelines
• Liability disclaimer These guidelines represent a selection of standard generic
• Union stamp symbols that approximate the size and shape of stage lumi-
naires. Further differentiation or notation may be necessary
4.0 Title Block to distinguish between luminaires of approximately the same
Acceptable locations for the title block are: size. This may include shading the symbol, making the
• Lower right hand corner of the drawing “front” of the symbol a heavier line, and other individual
• Vertical banner on the right side of the drawing techniques. As manufacturers introduce new luminaries and
accessories that are not specified by the current
4.1 Information contained in the title block Recommended Practice, a designer may either create new
To be placed in the order deemed most important by the symbols or make variations in existing symbols that approx-
lighting designer: imate the silhouettes and optical qualities of the new equip-
• Name of the producing organization ment. In this case, a clear indication of the new symbol must
• Name of the production be included within the Instrument Key. Detailed luminaire
• Name of the venue symbols specific to each manufacturers’ products and sup-
• Drawing title plied by computer drafting programs may be substituted,
• Drawing number (i.e., “1 of 4”) provided they allow the specialized markings needed to
• Predominant scale of the drawing exactly specify the luminaire and provided they are properly
• Date the plate was drafted explained by the instrument key (see Section 5).
• Designer of the production
• Draftsperson of the drawing These symbols are presented as a guideline. Specific choic-
es should be considered to differentiate between different
Additional information may include: manufacturers of the same type of luminaire. It is USITT pol-
• Location of the venue icy not to specify any manufacturers in the Symbol
• Director of the production Guidelines.
• Other members of the production team
• Lighting assistant and/or Master Electrician Because of the number and complexity of attributes in auto-
• Date and revision number mated fixtures, each designer must determine a logical
• Approval of the drawing notation system for the luminaire used.

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