Working with a theatrical lighting system can be very safe & very dangerous all at once. Most lights require vast amounts of power. The systems controlling the power sent to the lights are usually well engineered, but should still be approached with great caution. Control surfaces, on the other hand, are connected to dimming systems via low voltage data cables & may be safer than the average household light switch.
Lights may be dangerously hot, you may encounter vast amounts of static electricity, power cables may melt or fray, electricity may jump from grid to ladder to floor. The craft is not for the faint of heart. Oh yes, and the gear may be heavy.
Once configured, the fun really begins. Lights are powerful instruments which may help highlight the emotion of the moment. Be it celebratory, romantic, or somber; there are tried & true ways to really help sell the scene.
Lighting systems are put through the most creative of paces at concerts. Large venues generally feature some of the best lighting equipment available. These include numerous fully variable light & laser fixtures, particulate machines, controllable drops, sophisticated controllable props & pyrotechnics. All are often tied into a single control system & often synced with a metronome sound piped to the drummer. Smaller venues may feature a system which can control the lights dynamically via audio input. Each have their benefits & draw-backs.
Consider volunteering for a day or two on the lighting team at a local theater. It is a craft worth the risk.
