So this summer was quite uneventful for me do to a pretty bad accident. I had a lot of time to think of my future and my last year as a Grad Student at UCI. This did not always leave me feeling particularly happy about where I was and where I was going because I was stuck on my couch not being able to walk. I wasn't able to get out and see shows like I try to make it a point to do, I wasn't allowed to help on campus because I was banned from the place that has been home to me for the past two years. So I was feeling pretty down on myself. I was finally able to start walking only a few weeks ago and I made it a point to get out and do everything or as much as I could. Which included going to see one of my favorite country artists... Rascal Flatts! No matter how I felt as I hobbled up the steps of the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater I completely lost myself as the lights faded for the first time to introduce the opening act. I really hadn't noticed just how much I missed being in a theatre until those lights dimmed in the house and the stage lights blasted the audience.  There was so much energy from the audience from just the light shift that it was hard not to forget all my worries about the future. And the talent wasn't even on stage yet. This reminded me of why I do what I do! Our choices as designers effect the audience even if there isn't a verbal or physical response at that moment in time. But there is always a reaction! We are in the business to causing the audience to enjoy, question, love, laugh, cry, or just be able to forget something for a short period of time. We thrive on reaction! And in my case the dimming of the house lights caused me to remember what my goals are, where I want to be in 3, 5, 10 yrs. down the road. So the next time I sit in a theatre I am going to remember and appreciate what Sir Henry Irvine did for us as he dimmed the house lights for the first time.

Welcome to Drama 157 Fall 2013 Lighting Journal

The act of blogging weekly will help you develop your eye for light in the theatre but, more importantly, in your life.

In order to more effectively understand how light can alter the perception of the audience; we need to first understand how it alters our perception on a daily basis.

As we move through the quarter, I hope that this blog will help you to discover light in ways that you have not seen before.

Perhaps you'll see colors you've never noticed before, you may recognize the angle of a certain light, and maybe you will find ways to articulate how a light makes you feel.

In order to assist with this process, I've created this blog so that all of you may contribute a short piece each week on an aspect of light that you have noticed throughout your journeys.

This can include a particular moment in a play, a beautiful sunset, a great rock concert or a well lit store, or just what happens to your emotions when the sun moves behind a cloud. Anything and everything can be included.

Refer to the assignment for blog topics on even week #'s in the quarter (Weeks 2, 4, 6, 8 & 10).

Please start your title for each posting with the Week of the quarter and a subject.

Your postings factor evenly, with all other projects, into your final grade.

Please include photos with your post to help us see what you are describing!

Whether or not you continue in lighting design after this class, I hope that this online journal will help you to discover inspiration for you art in daily life.

Thank you and happy blogging!!

Lonnie Alcaraz