Theatre Lighting

In the theatre, more than in other venues, the emphasis lies on lighting that enhances the staging, and although one rarely refers to a "light show" in this context, the result ultimately amounts to precisely that. Instead, one sticks to the classic terms and equipment such as lighting, follow spots, profile spotlights, theatre spotlights and floodlights. The demands are immense, as theatre lighting by no means creates excitement and bombast by itself: rather, it is a specialised discipline that requires storytelling to be emphasised, supported, and subtly underscored. This calls for highly efficient equipment, and for those looking to purchase theatre lighting, this is the right place to turn.

Buy theatre spotlights and accessories with a guarantee and expert advice

Theatre lighting is a specialised field of lighting technology, which is precisely why it is important to seek expert and professional advice. After all, the demands placed on theatre spotlights such as profile spotlights, follow spots, and floodlights are considerable, and not just because of the light sources. The experts in our lighting department are highly competent on the subject and will be happy to provide you with comprehensive, detailed and solution-oriented advice. With Thomann's 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee and the 3-year warranty, you're financially covered. Our advisors are happy to provide information on all aspects of lighting technology, and you can contact our lighting specialists directly by phone on +49 9546-9223-45 or by e-mail at licht@thomann.de.

Focus on efficiency and high colour rendering index

When purchasing theatre lighting, it is essential to focus on the efficiency of the light sources and the high colour rendering index. There can be no compromise on light output, as anything less would disrupt the drama of the performance, and a high colour rendering index (CRI) above 90 remains essential to ensure authentic lighting of people, as well as for video, film and television recordings. Lower colour rendering indices may well be used on conventional Rock & Roll stages; in a theatrical setting, however, such an approach could prove troublesome.

Strikingly inconspicuous – requirements for design and noise levels

Theatre spotlights must blend discreetly and unobtrusively into the stage setting, with component design that neither disrupts the overall aesthetic nor draws attention through an overly conspicuous appearance, while equally maintaining low noise levels. Throughout a performance, there are often sound-sensitive passages during which spotlights must not create any disturbance, which is why high-quality theatre lighting operates almost silently, ideally with units featuring temperature-controlled fans. Fresnel lenses, for example, cannot function without cooling, but this must be at a tolerable noise level.

What are profile spotlights?

If you are involved in theatre lighting, you will frequently come across the term profile spotlights. But what exactly are they? Essentially, they are spotlights with a very narrow dispersion angle, typically used for the precise and tightly focused lighting of people and objects. They are generally equipped with manual or motorised shutters that allow the dispersion area to be further refined and restricted, while in manual operation, so-called profile sliders are integrated to position limiting panels in front of the lens. This limits the beam so that even nearby subjects remain unlit, and profile spotlights typically consist of several components, including the lens tube, the central tube, the light source unit, and the base with its built-in power supply. An additional unique feature of profile spotlights is their frequent use for gobo projection. The Varytec LED Profile Mini IP65 5600K bk is an example suitable for outdoor use.

Theatre spotlights at the cutting edge of lighting technology

Another option available is the theatre spotlight, which is now frequently fitted with a Fresnel lens, enabling the spotlight to replace conventional Fresnel lens spotlights. These spotlights often produce a colour temperature of around 3000 Kelvin, making them ideal for warm white lighting. A good example is the Varytec LED Theatre Spot 100 3000K, which, with its 100 W COB LED Fresnel lens, can replace spotlights in the 500–650 watt class. The optical system consists of a Fresnel lens. Theatre spotlights are also available with "custom-built" lenses, on which position and focus adjustments are made manually, and to ensure the required precision and flexibility, these theatre spotlights are equipped with an extremely smooth-running, highly precise lamp mount.