Performing Arts Gear: Ellipsoidal Reflector Spotlight (ERS)

Lighting designers constantly experiment with new gear to create their art. But one of their old favorites is the ERS, short for “ellipsoidal reflector spotlight.”

The ERS is famous for its bright, focused light and many uses. It can highlight performers for their big number. It can help turn a nighttime scene into a bright summer day. Other gear can be added to the ERS to shine splashes of color, unique shapes, or even special effects like rain, water, and fire. The ERS is the go-to gear for lighting designers in theaters everywhere.

The “ellipsoidal reflector spotlight,” or ERS, has been called by various names through the years. Theater professionals may refer to it as an “ellipse” or “ellipsoidal.” “Source Four” is a brand name, and that term is used, too.

You may also hear long-time stagehands call it a “Leko,” pronounced LEE-koh. The nickname is a combination of the last names of James Levy and Edward Kook, who invented this style of stage light in the 1930s.