Advances in automated lighting are allowing school theaters to bring professional-grade fixtures into their spaces, transforming performances with greater color options, precise control, and dynamic effects once reserved for major venues. Rowan County Senior High School in Morehead, Kentucky, recently took a major step forward, modernizing its theater with a full Elation LED lighting system upgrade.
Theater and Education
Pro Sound & Lights completed a full LED modernization, replacing the school’s legacy incandescent infrastructure with a high-output, color-consistent Elation rig designed to support both performance and educational applications. Working closely with the school’s staff and faculty to understand their goals and vision, and supported by Elation manufacturer representatives Five Lakes Marketing, Pro Sound & Lights designed and installed a versatile, energy-efficient lighting system capable of supporting theater productions and curriculum-based technical training.
The theater is utilized by the high school drama department for three musicals each year and serves as an integral part of the school’s production arts curriculum, giving students hands-on experience operating professional-grade equipment under the guidance of their drama teacher.
Creative Illumination for Drama
The new lighting system centers on Elation’s RGBMA LED engine, which ensures uniform color reproduction across the rig. It features 20 KL PROFILE FC, 25 KL PROFILE COMPACT, 25 LIMELIGHT PAR S, and 6 KL CYC L fixtures, supported by 5 NETRON EN4 Ethernet to DMX gateways for streamlined data distribution. Together, the fixtures deliver uniform, color-consistent washes and dynamic lighting effects across the entire stage.
“This package looks amazing in Rowan County High School’s theater,” Marc Dunlap, Owner/General Manager of Pro Sound & Lights exclaimed. “Audiences will be impressed by the added depth, clarity and visibility on stage. These lights really add potential for creative illumination and drama.”
KL Consistency
The KL PROFILE FC units, full-spectrum LED ellipsoidals with zooming capabilities, deliver rich color and even coverage across the first two stage layers. Mounted on a single bar with motorized hoist for easy focusing, they provide precise coverage for five distinct zones. “They look amazing with their vibrant color display and offer beautifully even illumination,” said Dunlap.
Coverage for the third and fourth stage layers comes from the KL PROFILE COMPACT, a smaller ellipsoidal with a 25° to 50° zoom and framing features. “A valued feature of this fixture is its ability to accommodate gobos, making it the ideal addition for this project,” Dunlap added.
The team also added six one-meter KL CYC L linear fixtures to enhance cyclorama and wall washes. “These fixtures make it simple to create balanced wall washes and cycloramas,” Dunlap said. “Their low profile makes them nearly invisible on stage!” Capable of achieving even blends while covering significant heights with ease, three units are mounted across the back wall, with the remaining fixtures available for mobile use as needed. Each fixture leverages Elation’s RGBMA color engine for seamless color matching.
Dynamic Wash Lighting
The wash system incorporates 25 LIMELIGHT PAR S units deployed evenly across five bars. Their 60W RGBL engine and motorized 5°–42° zoom allow tight beams or broad, even washes in vivid color and natural white. Supported by calibrated presets, variable CCT control, and 5,345 lumens with 16-bit dimming, it offers exceptional versatility for dynamic stage lighting.
All fixtures interface through five NETRON EN4 Ethernet-to-DMX gateways, creating a node-based data distribution network that supports multiple universes and future expansion without additional hardware.
A New Chapter
“We are so impressed by the capabilities of the Elation lighting fixtures,” Dunlap concluded. “This new look unleashes limitless potential that will encompass performances at the school for many years to come.” Other benefits include reduced maintenance, no re-lamping, and significantly lower heat output.
Pro Sound & Lights completed the installation in August 2025. The upgraded system debuted this fall with the school’s production of Little Shop of Horrors, marking the beginning of a new chapter in theatrical presentation for the school.
About Elation
At Elation, we collaborate with leading professionals in the lighting industry to help bring extraordinary experiences to life. As a designer and manufacturer of a wide range of high-performance entertainment lighting products, we’re proud to be a trusted partner to top lighting professionals and rental houses around the world. Our commitment to quality, innovation, and creative solutions has made us a go-to resource in the industry. We also offer an advanced line of lighting control products through Obsidian Control Systems, and a full range of dependable specialty effects called Magmatic. Elation serves clients worldwide through offices in Los Angeles, Mexico City, and the Netherlands. We invite you to take a closer look at elationlighting.com
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