When the Calvary Theatre department took on the show Silent Sky, a play which revolves around the stars, we knew immediately that lighting would be a crucial element in our production. Thankfully, Kaleb Krahn, our Technical Director, is more than up to the challenge! An alumnus of Calvary, Kaleb just finished his M.F.A. in Technical Direction from UMKC last spring and he’s already deep into the heart of Calvary Theatre! Whether he’s designing lighting, building sets, or teaching classes, Kaleb does everything with energy and excellence. I sat down with him after a rehearsal one night as he was programming cues, and got his take on the upcoming production.
As Technical Director, what are your responsibilities in Silent Sky?
Essentially, I oversee the technical aspects of the show. Working with the set designer, building the set, designing and implementing the lighting, overseeing sound design, and coordinating set construction.
Why is lighting important for stage productions?
Well, first off, having light on the stage makes it possible to see what’s going on! Additionally, good lighting design brings life to the set and costumes. It adds dimensionality and brings out colors. Lighting also narrows focus, directing the audience’s attention where it needs to be.
What makes this show unique in terms of lighting?
Silent Sky is very demanding on the lighting side. The show spans over 10 years, and showing the passage of time in a matter of seconds is a challenge. There are also several geographical locations in the script, so representing and differentiating them, as well as the various times of day during which the action occurs, was an important part of the lighting design process.
What is your favorite moment in the show to light?
Either the final moment of the play, or a dream sequence in which we use lighting to draw the audience into the character’s imagination, and then back to reality.
If you want to see Kaleb’s brilliant lighting design, it’s not too late to get tickets! Silent Sky opens this weekend!
Thursday October 13 at 11:00 a.m.
Friday October 14 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday October 15 at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday October 16 at 2:00 p.m.
Get your tickets now at https://archive.calvary.edu/theatre-box-office/ or by emailing [email protected].