The lighting programmer as creative collaborator

The lighting programmer as a discrete profession is a relatively recent development in UK theatre production and one whose job description and responsibilities vary widely. Being an excellent programmer is not merely a case of manual dexterity and syntactical knowhow; it encompasses a range of interpersonal skills and empathetic awareness. Using two examples from recent fieldwork, and through an analysis of the language-in-use of lighting programmers, this article positions the theatre lighting programmer as an important member of both the creative and production teams and argues for greater awareness and promotion of their influence on theatre-making.