Week 1:By Your Side

I got the opportunity this summer to go back to my hometown, El Paso, Texas. It was a nice, but quick visit to the place where I was born and raised. On my last day there, I was able to watch a sunset with my sister. I found out during this event that it was the first sunset that she had ever sat down and actually watched. I got so excited! We got to see the sun's exit change the color of the light blue sky to that of warm and lovely ambers and purples. This was bittersweet for me because my sister and I are very close, so it is always hard saying goodbye to her. We have had the beautiful blessing of being especially close to each other due to the growth of our faith in God.  It is hard to see in the picture, but at the top of the mountain there is a large cross that marks where Mount Cristo Rey (Christ the King) is. I just love how the sunset is silhouetting the mountains of my home city with the cross at the top. To me, this made sitting with my sister and watching this sunset even more emotional.  Looking back on this bittersweet moment, I get a sense of hope and optimism due to the warmth of the sun and the way the camera captured the sun rays. This is a good reminder that while light can sculpt objects and our environment, it can also evoke certain emotions.

Welcome to Drama 157 Fall 2017 Lighting Journal

Now that you have decided to enhance your appreciation for light, I want to help you develop your eye for light not just in the theatre but in your life.

In order to more effectively understand how light can alter the perception of your audience; we need to first understand how it alters our perception on a daily basis.

As we move through the quarter, I hope that this blog will help you to discover light in ways that you have not seen before.

Perhaps you'll see colors you've never noticed before, you may recognize the angle of a certain light, and maybe you will find ways to articulate how a light makes you feel.

In order to assist with this process, I've created this blog so that all of you may contribute a short piece each week on an aspect of light that you have noticed throughout your journeys.

This can include a particular moment in a play, a beautiful sunset, a great rock concert or a well lit store, or just what happens to your emotions when the sun moves behind a cloud. Anything and everything can be included.

Pay special attention to Blog Topics for even numbered weeks:

• Week 2: Inspiration
• Week 4: Texture
• Week 6: Obsession
• Week 8: Depth
• Week 10: Site Specific Blog

Title each post with the Week of the quarter and then a subject.

Your postings count towards your final grade.

Please include photos with your post to help us see what you are describing!

Whether or not you continue in lighting design after this class, I hope that this online journal will help you to discover inspiration for your art in daily life.

Thanks and Happy Blogging!!

Lonnie Alcaraz