Lightwright
Encyclopedia
Lightwright is a spreadsheet
/database
program created specifically for theatrical lighting
applications. The program is used to sort and manage data related to lighting designs and to generate design paperwork. It has been used to create and manage the lighting designs for hundreds of Broadway
shows.
Version 5 was released on September 1, 2009, and as of January 20, 2010, Lightwright is being used by every Broadway show currently running.
Lightwright is not a drafting program, but rather a database program similar to Microsoft Access which has been tailored specifically for stage lighting. The program allows a user to input information about lighting units such as type of unit, location, purpose, color, channel, circuit and dimmer. The information can then be displayed or printed out in a number of different formats that can be used for hanging the lights (Instrument Schedule
) and cueing the show (Channel hookup
).
Version 5 shares exchanges data automatically with Vectorworks' Spotlight 2009 and later.
The program was created by John McKernon, and is distributed by John McKernon Software.
The program won the Lighting Dimensions International Software Product of the Year award in both 1998 and 2003. In 2004, it was honored with an Eddy Award.
Spreadsheet
A spreadsheet is a computer application that simulates a paper accounting worksheet. It displays multiple cells usually in a two-dimensional matrix or grid consisting of rows and columns. Each cell contains alphanumeric text, numeric values or formulas...
/database
Database
A database is an organized collection of data for one or more purposes, usually in digital form. The data are typically organized to model relevant aspects of reality , in a way that supports processes requiring this information...
program created specifically for theatrical lighting
Stage lighting
Modern stage lighting is a flexible tool in the production of theatre, dance, opera and other performance arts. Several different types of stage lighting instruments are used in the pursuit of the various principles or goals of lighting. Stage lighting has grown considerably in recent years...
applications. The program is used to sort and manage data related to lighting designs and to generate design paperwork. It has been used to create and manage the lighting designs for hundreds of Broadway
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
shows.
Version 5 was released on September 1, 2009, and as of January 20, 2010, Lightwright is being used by every Broadway show currently running.
Lightwright is not a drafting program, but rather a database program similar to Microsoft Access which has been tailored specifically for stage lighting. The program allows a user to input information about lighting units such as type of unit, location, purpose, color, channel, circuit and dimmer. The information can then be displayed or printed out in a number of different formats that can be used for hanging the lights (Instrument Schedule
Instrument Schedule
In theatrical productions, an instrument schedule is a listing of all the lighting instruments and information about them used in a show. The instruments are organized by their position on-stage, and is the distinguishing characteristic between an instrument schedule and a channel hookup or...
) and cueing the show (Channel hookup
Channel hookup
In theatrical productions, the channel hookup is a printout of a lighting database such as Lightwright that organizes all the lighting information for a stage show by the channel number associated with the lighting equipment and limits the information associated with a particular lighting...
).
Version 5 shares exchanges data automatically with Vectorworks' Spotlight 2009 and later.
The program was created by John McKernon, and is distributed by John McKernon Software.
The program won the Lighting Dimensions International Software Product of the Year award in both 1998 and 2003. In 2004, it was honored with an Eddy Award.