Lighting Choices

Question 1

As a lighting designer, how would you use lighting to develop drama in the opening scene?

Answer 1

1.) Spotlight on Eva and Helga to show the intimate, close mother daughter bond they had before they were separated. Spotlight would be a sepia colour to show how it’s a memory.
2.) SL, Faith + Evelyn in a general wash, not an intimate spotlight, to show how their mother daughter bond isn’t as strong - communicates the artistic intention regarding the impact of loss on the mother daughter bond across generations. Wash is just a normal white colour also to show how they are in the present.
3.) This moment also introduces the Ratcatcher, so I would use a backlight on him to show him as a shadowy figure

Question 2

As a lighting designer, how would you use use lighting to develop drama when the Nazi Officer meets Eva:

Answer 2

(Memory moment = sepia floodlight)
1.) A profile light with barn doors to create a sharp rectangle, representing the train
2.) A footlight to create a looming shadow on the Nazi Official to make him frightening + reminds Eva of the Ratcatcher
3.) Or, a birdie from above to cast a shadow over his face from his cap - show mystery and an ominous presence
4.) Project a red gobo of a swastika on the backdrop. Red represents danger and fear + swastika shows historical context
5.) Throughout the play, the train tracks will be illuminated downstage as a reminder of separation + loss

Question 3

As a lighting designer, how would you use lighting to develop drama when the postman interacts with Eva:

Answer 3

1.) Memory moment = sepia floodlight
2.) Blue spotlight at the end when Eva opens the parcel from Helga. It contains the Haggadah + Ratcatcher book. It’s blue to highlight her sadness + missing Helga
2.) A gobo of the Star of David at the same time as the spotlight, to shows the Heratige Helga is trying to share with Eva from a distance

Question 4

As a lighting designer, how would you use lighting to develop drama in the end scene?

Answer 4

1.) Two individuals spotlights on Helga + Eva, to contrast with their singular spotlight in the opening of the play - they are distant from eachother
2.) Footlights illuminating the hundreds of shoes under the raised stage, to cast an eerie light on them reminding the audience of the reason why Helga was delayed in returning
3.) Eva feels Helga is the Ratcatcher, trying to take her away. A long, open trapdoor running through the centre stage using birdie lights to shine up through the hole would exaggerate the gaping, enormous abyss between them