Antigone and Lighting Design

            
            
            
            
            
            
             Visibility is the most important factor in my analysis of Antigone. The entire play is a series of French scenes. The only real separations between the parts of the play are the chorus" songs. The set itself, while not necessarily basic, is not described as being very complicated. Therefore lighting needs to be the primary factor in showing what to look at and why. Also because the stage can get a little cluttered with the chorus and so many cast members lighting needs to separate them and keep the audience from becoming confused.
             Focus/Composition is also a very important factor in this play. Many of the scenes in the play will need a general wash of the stage because of the many cast members often on stage. To make sure the audience pays attention to certain people the focus or intensity of the lights need to stand out amongst themselves. When parts of the stage can't be dark for various reasons, the audience needs to have their attention directed in certain areas even when everything else is lit.
             Mood is third on my list because while it is an important part of the play, mood doesn't change much. There are no real high and low points of the play. It's all basically dark and serious.
             The environment and plausibility of this play is not terribly important. All of the action takes place in the same day and there are obvious clues as to what part of the day it is. Plausibility isn't that important either since most action takes place outside.
             I find it surprising that theme is last on my list. I think it is a very important part of this play. However I"m not sure lighting can illustrate this as much as the dialogue does. I fear that overdoing the lighting to try and punch home the theme will be a little much and ruin it. The dialogue and stage direction leave a lot for the lighting to do. Theme is very well covered by the play itself and I believe it will make a larger impact by carrying the theme itself.