The Job of a Lighting Technician

 Last time, I mentioned that there are countless vital jobs—jobs that keep things running even if they don't put you in the spotlight. While writing that, I suddenly thought of the work done by lighting technicians, so I wanted to share a few thoughts on that.

Lighting technicians are the people responsible for stage lighting. Their job is literally to *cast* the spotlight, not to stand in it.

I recently attended a collaborative concert featuring a pair of brothers who play the Tsugaru-shamisen and another pair who perform piano duets. At one point, I found myself thinking, "The lighting is beautiful; they’re doing a fantastic job." People don't usually pay much attention to the lighting during a performance, I suppose. I’ve worked in the theater world a bit myself; while the performers are the stars, they are supported by specialized staff—lighting, sound, stage managers, and those handling sets and props. You hire these people individually, and since they are true artisans, they can sometimes be difficult to deal with. Yet, because their skills are so professional, you can't help but respect their craft. You inevitably hold them in high regard. In fact, performers are often saved by the lighting during a show.

This is just one example of an essential job—one that might not get the spotlight but without which things simply wouldn't function—and I imagine there are countless other important roles out there that I know nothing about.

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