BISQC Blog:

Greening the stage

Posted by Jim Swanson
Friday, 3 September 2010

Floral arrangements are brightening the stage for the first time at this year’s BIQC. The arrangements and pedestals are by Leo at Willow Haven in Canmore, and the lighting that sets it off is by The Banff Centre stage crew.

Banff Centre lighting technician Josh McGill. Click photo to enlarge.

Lighting technicians are among the six or seven theatre technicians — in addition to four or so staff from Music & Sound and the same number of audio technicians — that are behind the scenes at all times. The lighting at this year’s BISQC was arranged by lighting technician Josh McGill, who wanted to accentuate the flowers and give a parlor look to the stage.

Green shadows on the stage.

The green cast behind the flowers might appear to result from light shining through the leaves, but it is actually due to green spotlights focused on the plants; the green cast appears where the flowers have blocked out the other stage lights.

Josh on the catwalk.

Stage lighting is accessed from catwalks above the ceiling. The lighting technicians adjust the lights during dress rehearsal to make sure the musicians are comfortable with the settings. Lighting for chamber music is straightforward compared to the lighting required for dance or theatre.

Josh entering his lair

Once the light have been set, the lighting technician controls them from the light booth at the rear of the theatre.

Josh at the lighting console.

Josh consults the lighting protocol for BISQC.

With a commanding view of the stage, ample leg room, and piped- in sound, the light booth is considered by its occupants to be the best seat in the house.

The best seat in the house. Click photo to enlarge.

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