Recent Classes at
Angstrom University

Electricity 101
Why do lamps flicker? Why do fuses blow? How many lights can you put on a dimmer? Whether you're a seasoned lighting designer, a novice gaffer, a drama teacher or just plain curious, this popular Angstrom University workshop will help unravel the mysteries of wattage, voltage and amperage. You'll learn some of the basics of how electricity works, and how a little common sense can help you deal with some of the most common electrical problems. This is a beginning class—no prior experience necessary.

Basic Lighting Fixtures
Everything you wanted to know about different fixtures—what they do, why they work, where they work best—but were afraid to ask. This introduction to basic lighting equipment is designed for anyone for whom lighting feels like a foreign language. You'll learn general information on some of the most common lighting fixtures: what their purpose is, how they work, and how to make them work for you. This is a beginning class—no prior experience necessary.

Lighting Design Fundamentals
In this session, you'll get hands-on experience using these fixtures to create a simple lighting design and explore the many different visual effects that can be created: how to set a mood or theme, and how to design in different environments. By the end of this workshop you'll no longer be in the dark about lighting. This is a beginning class—no prior experience necessary.

7 Tips for DIY Lighting
Got a holiday party or event coming up and you don't have a budget for a lighting designer? Not to worry—just sign up for this DIY (Do-It-Yourself) class and learn the secrets of basic design and set-up. By attending this class and experimenting for just a few hours on your own, you'll be limited only by your own creativity and quite pleasantly surprised by your results. You don't have to be a technical whiz to set up for a small event. We'll even teach you how to get the most bang for your buck when placing a rental order. This is a beginning class—no prior experience necessary.

Event Lighting for Non-Traditional Spaces
When you're trying to light an event—a wedding, a meeting, a reception, anything—you'll find that not all venues are alike. How exactly do you light a tent, a reception hall or an outdoor setting? And where do you plug it all in? This free class for non-technical people will teach you important basics on how to light your event regardless of where it's being held, including which lighting instruments to select, where to place them and how to make sure there's enough power. The class will also cover color theory and projection, as well as low-wattage and LED gear.

Stage Lighting in the Storefront Theatre
Many small theatre companies start out in rented storefronts that were never intended to be used as entertainment venues. But that doesn't mean you can't have the lighting you want or need to make your productions dramatic and memorable. This free class for non-technical people covers how to create theatrical lighting in nontheatrical spaces, including equipment selection such as lighting instruments, affordable dimming systems, color and projection effects, and both traditional and non-traditional lighting gear available to the designer. The course will also show different options for different budget levels. And you'll learn how you can set priorities when buying or renting equipment so that you can expand your system down the road.

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