Parkes Musical & Dramatic Society recently secured grant funding to acquire new stage lighting for the theatre. An exclusive ShowPRO rig was acquired, featuring seven R3 Wash, three AuroCYC HEX IP, six Eclipse Profile Zoom RGBAL and LED Profile FC. The new rig has significantly enhanced the performance environment by expanding the range of available colours and effects, thereby providing greater flexibility in lighting design and programming.
Audiences have been quick to recognise the improvement to the lighting rig, with many posting favourable comments on social media about the lighting effects seen in the last two fully sold-out productions, Mamma Mia and Frozen Jr.
Lighting Director Lyn Townsend commented, “Our intention was to emphasise back and cross lighting rather than relying solely on front lighting, particularly when incorporating cyc projections during our recent production of Frozen Jr. The new lighting solutions were highly effective in creating an immersive atmosphere while supporting dynamic visual effects. The expert assistance we had from Show Technology’s Gareth Mealing in selecting suitable fixtures and rigging methods has been invaluable in achieving optimal results, especially given the size constraints of our venue”.
The Society has long maintained a commitment to elevating the standard of its productions, guided by its motto, ‘we don’t do ordinary’. With the recent installation of state-of-the-art lighting fixtures, it is clear that upcoming productions will continue to exceed expectations and deliver exceptional theatrical experiences to their audiences.
Fifteen years ago, with no prior knowledge of stage lighting, Lyn began exploring the field of lighting design after their previous lighting director retired. This journey started with the Lighting Factory system, and in 2017, they transitioned to the Vista by ChromaQ platform, which was chosen for its Australian ownership at the time. However, they are about to move to their new Zero 88 FLX 4096 Controller, recently acquired from Show Technology.
“Although I do not hold any formal qualifications in lighting (or other theatre disciplines), my expertise has been developed through extensive experience and independent research into lighting techniques,” commented Lyn. “I have actively applied this knowledge to our productions, continually striving to enhance our technical standards and improve every aspect of the theatre experience.”
Lyn is also currently the President of the Society and serves as the Director. In the realm of amateur theatre, the role of Director encompasses a wide range of responsibilities.
“I coordinate nearly every aspect of our productions, ensuring that all elements come together seamlessly,” commented Lyn. “My duties include scheduling and conducting rehearsals, directing performances, assisting with choreography, managing lighting programming and operation, overseeing all aspects of ticketing and box office, and designing as well as helping to build sets. Additionally, I create all my own costumes, drawing on my background as a dressmaker and my passion for designing unique and (often unusual) production wardrobes.”
All of these tasks are performed on a voluntary basis, as the Society operates entirely without paid positions. Lyn’s personal dedication stems from a genuine love for theatre and a commitment to its success within the community.
