Disclaimer
Gobo & Gather explains light and rooms. It does not replace training, a qualified electrician or the rules of the building you are in.
Last updated 9 November 2026.
Educational content only
Gobo & Gather describes stage lighting ideas and common practice for small shared spaces. The essays are written to help readers understand what they see and to think about their own rooms. They are not professional advice, and they cannot account for your equipment, your venue or your local rules.
Heat, electricity and height
Stage fixtures can be hot enough to burn skin and scorch materials. Mains electricity can kill. Equipment hung over people can fall. Fitting patterns or colour filters, hanging or focusing lights, running cables and using haze or smoke should be done only by people who are competent to do so, using equipment rated for the job, following the manufacturer’s instructions and the building’s own safety arrangements. Nothing on this site overrides those instructions or arrangements.
Haze, flashing and blackouts
Haze and smoke can trigger detectors and affect people with breathing conditions. Rapid flashing light can affect people with photosensitive conditions. Exit signs and emergency lighting must stay working. Check venue rules and tell your audience in advance where effects are used.
Illustrations
The images on the site are illustrations made for Gobo & Gather. They depict imagined rooms and equipment, not real productions, venues or people, and they are not technical drawings. Do not use them as plans.
The Cue Stack archive
The Cue Stack lists older articles on many subjects beyond stage lighting. They are kept for reference. They may be out of date, and mention of a product, service or company in them is not a recommendation by Gobo & Gather.
External links
Linked websites are outside the site’s control. Check their information independently.
Corrections
If you find an error, please report it through the contact page.