Theatre Tillsonburg celebrates a major lighting upgrade, the volunteers behind the scenes, and the community that makes it all possible.
There's a lot more to theatrical lighting than making sure the audience can see the actors. At Theatre Tillsonburg, a major lighting upgrade made possible through an Ontario Trillium Foundation grant is helping bring a new dimension to the stories unfolding on stage. The theatre has replaced its aging lighting equipment with 62 new LED fixtures, a significant improvement over a system that had become increasingly difficult and expensive to maintain.
For director and longtime theatre volunteer Joe Sheik, the upgrade isn't simply about brighter lights. It's about creating atmosphere, guiding the audience's attention and bringing a story to life.
The new system makes its debut alongside The Numbers Game, which opens Thursday, November 12th. Shiek says the lighting can help audiences recognize changes in location, time and mood without necessarily being conscious of how those changes are being accomplished.
But, creating those effects takes considerable preparation.
The upgrade has also required volunteers to unpack, assemble, program and install all 62 fixtures.
And while the new technology will benefit productions for years to come, Sheik believes the theatre's greatest resource has always been the people of Tillsonburg.
That support extends well beyond financial contributions. Theatre Tillsonburg relies entirely on volunteers, whose talents range from acting and directing to costume design, set construction, sound engineering and lighting. Each production represents countless hours of work by people whose contributions audiences may never fully appreciate.
On Sunday, November 15th, the theatre will formally recognize the Ontario Trillium Foundation's support during a special presentation beginning at 2 p.m., incorporated into that afternoon's performance of The Numbers Game. For Sheik, the new lighting system is another example of what can happen when a community comes together to support the arts.
And while audiences will see the actors in the spotlight, he says it's the work of many talented people behind the scenes that makes the magic possible.
Did he just say shine? Well played, Joe. Well played.
