Catherine M. Pratt

Mood

Atmosphere

Environment

Ideas

Themes

How do you tell your story?

 

Within the world of theatre and dance, design brings stories alive around the performers. Lighting design can transform the story moment to moment, connecting the audience to the action and to each other. As a whole, the story is what drives the design. Broken down into each moment the use of color and the power of transitions can be used to create the mood, atmosphere, environment, and bring out the emotions driving the story forward. Through these elements, lighting is able to subconsciously pull the audience into the story and action. 

 

For every production my goal is to capture the audience from the moment they walk into the theatre until they leave at the end of the performance. I utilize transitions, pacing, and movement to transform and carry the audience through the story. Each lighting cue is carefully considered to pull the audience into the performance, directing their attention to the action while building and transforming the world around them. Color is another element that I strongly use as a communication tool. Through color psychology, color is able to capture the viewer while informing them of the themes, moods, emotions, and emotional journey being told on a conscious and subconscious level. 

 

No matter the production, the story and experiences in the theatre connect the audience together, leaving an impression long after the performance is over. 

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