Stage lighting, a crucial craft for theater and other performing arts, originated in ancient Greek and Roman theaters that cleverly utilized natural sunlight by orienting stages east-west. As performances transitioned indoors, early artificial illumination came from candles and oil lamps, with Renaissance architects like Nicola Sabbattini and Joseph Furttenbach detailing sophisticated new techniques, including the strategic use of darkness. Following England's Civil War (post-1642), King Charles II introduced Italian theatrical methods, leading to larger English Restoration playhouses that relied heavily on candle-burning chandeliers. However, these early lighting methods presented significant challenges, such as dripping wax, obstructed audience views, and the constant need for trimming and relighting. While commercial theaters remained conservative, court theaters like Drury Lane embraced more continental innovations, showcasing the evolving complexities of stage illumination—a discipline whose equipment and personnel now extend to diverse modern live events and productions.