Lighting cue
A lighting cue is a planned change for an entrance, transition or performance moment. Learn how to write a clear trigger and prepare a useful cue sheet.
What a cue looks like
A cue can be as simple as bringing up a wash for a speaker or as specific as fading to a colour when a song starts. It can be called live or triggered at a planned point.
Build a cue sheet
Write the trigger in plain language and assign someone to call it. Agree what happens when a speaker or artist starts late, skips a segment or changes the running order.
Write a trigger someone can recognise
For an awards presentation, “host announces the winner” is a clearer cue trigger than “around 8:30.” Note the intended lighting look and who calls the change. If the event follows a fixed recording or playback track, discuss that timing with the operator. Keep the cue sheet alongside the running order so changes to the programme are reflected in both.
Include on a simple cue sheet
- A cue identifier and the recognisable action that triggers it.
- A plain-language description of the intended look or transition.
- Who calls the cue and what to do if that part of the programme changes.
Before the event
Does every song need a written cue list?
That depends on the performance and agreed approach. Discuss which moments must happen precisely and where the lighting operator will respond to the live show.
Can I change a cue during the event?
Agree a communication route with the operator beforehand. Send changes through the nominated caller so the team is not trying to follow conflicting instructions.
Further reading: ETC’s explanation of lighting-console cues