In the Darkness, Light

Bryan Ferree from Church at the Cross in Orlando, FL brings us these great fixtures that have both incandescent and LED tape inside.

This was their Christmas stage design that they put up early December. Bryan started with reusing some LED tape that he had from a previous design. Then he purchased 2-foot buckets and painted the inside white, then the outside black. He then installed a bulb housing inside the bucket along with the LED tape. He suspended the buckets with steel cable from a truss grid that he already had. Each one of the buckets could be individually controlled with the LED tape, as well as the Edison bulb which was controlled through a dimmer pack. The entire project costed somewhere around $800 for the new materials.

Creating Hybrid LED and Incandescent Stage Fixtures

The combination of LED tape and traditional Edison bulbs in these fixtures creates a unique lighting effect that offers both versatility and warmth. LED tape provides the ability to create vibrant colors and dynamic lighting sequences, while the incandescent bulbs add a familiar, warm glow that many congregations find welcoming during worship services. This hybrid approach demonstrates how churches can blend modern lighting technology with classic aesthetics to achieve professional results on a modest budget.

The bucket construction technique is particularly ingenious for churches looking to create custom lighting fixtures without extensive fabrication skills. Standard 2-foot buckets provide a ready-made housing that is lightweight, durable, and easy to modify. Painting the interior white maximizes light reflection and efficiency, while the black exterior prevents unwanted light spill and keeps the focus on the illuminated elements. This simple approach eliminates the need for complex metalworking or woodworking skills that might otherwise limit volunteer participation.

Control flexibility was a key consideration in this design. By wiring the LED tape and Edison bulbs to separate control channels, Bryan created fixtures that could serve multiple purposes throughout a service. The LED elements could provide colorful accent lighting during high-energy worship songs, while the incandescent bulbs could offer steady, warm illumination for speaking portions or more contemplative moments. This dual-control capability essentially provides two fixtures in one, maximizing the value of the investment.

Suspension using steel cable from an existing truss grid shows practical resourcefulness that many churches can replicate. Rather than building a completely new support structure, this design leverages infrastructure that was already in place. The steel cable approach also allows for precise height adjustment and leveling, ensuring that each fixture hangs at the optimal position for both lighting coverage and visual composition.

Related Designs

• Bottled Lights – Discover how Watermark Church built a stunning Lite Brite stage wall using 7,000 water bottles and LEDs for an immersive visual experience.
• Branched – See how to build stunning LED light box panels for your church stage under $600 using simple materials and DIY techniques.
• Waiting in Lines – Learn how to create stunning projection effects using wood slats and ultra-short throw projectors for an affordable versa-tube stage design.
• True North – Explore how Oak Hills Church built a textured backdrop using Coroplast and styrofoam bowls for their youth ministry.
• It’s Raining. Really! – Discover how Christ’s Church of the Valley created real rain effects for their Good Friday service using ABS pipes and pumps.

Pro Tips for DIY Stage Lighting Fixtures

Test Your Paint Coverage: When painting the buckets, apply multiple thin coats rather than one thick layer. Thick paint can drip and create uneven surfaces that catch light unpredictably. Allow adequate drying time between coats to prevent tackiness that could attract dust and diminish reflectivity.

Plan Your Cable Management: Steel cable suspension looks clean and professional, but requires careful planning for electrical cable routing. Consider using cable clips or small carabiners to secure power cables alongside the suspension cables, preventing tangling and maintaining a neat appearance from audience sight lines.

Calculate Power Requirements: LED tape and incandescent bulbs have very different power needs. LED tape typically runs on low-voltage DC power and consumes minimal electricity, while Edison bulbs require standard AC voltage and draw significantly more current. Ensure your dimmer packs and power supplies are rated appropriately for the loads you plan to control.

Document Your Wiring: Create a clear wiring diagram showing which fixtures are connected to which control channels. This documentation becomes invaluable when troubleshooting issues or when volunteers need to make adjustments during setup or teardown. Label both ends of every cable to simplify identification.

Related: Ground Zero – See how Pleasant Valley Church created a haunting memorial stage design using foam board and LED lighting.

Related: Faithful Creation – Discover how Southern Hills Church built a budget-friendly 12-foot cross using coroplast and simple 2×4 framing for their stage.

Related: Reverberation – Discover how Fair Haven Church created a stunning LED cross design using u-channel and tape lights for their stage.