What is the purpose of lighting design in a play?

Lighting design in a play serves multiple critical functions, but one of its primary purposes is to symbolize themes and set the mood. Effective lighting can evoke specific emotional responses from the audience, enhancing the overall storytelling by aligning the visual experience with the narrative. For instance, warm lighting might create an inviting atmosphere, suggesting comfort or romance, while stark, cold lighting can symbolize conflict or tension.

Lighting design also helps in emphasizing certain characters or actions on stage, guiding the audience's focus where it needs to be at any given moment. This use of lighting can help underline a character's emotional state or the gravity of a moment, thereby reinforcing the themes of the play.

While other options may hint at aspects of theater production, they do not encapsulate the multifaceted role of lighting design in relation to narrative and audience engagement as effectively as the chosen answer does.