Seeing Spots

Jarron Davis from Christian Life Church in Austin, TX brings us this awesomely circular stage design.

From Jarron: Our last few stage designs were squares or rectangles. We used 4×4 white boxes for one, we used the “floating squares” after that and then we used the fluorescent light diffusers. I really wanted something that looked wasn’t a square. I saw several churches doing circles and thought that was a really good look. I hit up ModScenes and purchases a lot of the hanging circles. Steven was very accommodating and helped me layout a great design.

I picked out LED Pars and Bars that had visible RGBW (some have RGBA) chips that were circular.

I did the entire set minus the large glowing orbs. The first week we revealed it, I wasn’t happy with it and knew it was missing one element to set it off. So while I was cleaning out our AV storage closet, I ran across some old homemade Sky Pan lights that we did years ago. We got the idea from Vous Church.

I thought these could be the element I was missing to set my “circle” look off but I didn’t want to do the the warm color temperature look anymore. I had the idea to use a bunch of LED tape that I had left-over from various stage sets to repurpose the Sky Pans.

First I didn’t want them silver anymore so I painted the backs black. Then I attached a medium-duty pipe clamp to the back. To save time, I left the light socket inside. If you build them new, just don’t do the light socket portion of the build.

Next, I glued the LED tape to the inside of the sky pans. It took about 4-5ft of LED tape to make the circle. The LED tape had an adhesive on the back but I didn’t trust it so I reinforced it with Gorilla glue. This was the most tedious part. I soldered 25ft of Cat6 on to the LED tape to give me a long control+power cable so that I could place the power supplies and DMX driver in an accessible spot on stage.

I wasn’t crazy about being able to see LED tape. I wanted it to be more of a “glowing orb”. So I found some large paper in our kids department. You could also use large parchment paper from a restaurant supply store.

Using Gorilla tape to attache the paper, I cut out large circles of the paper and attached it to the SkyPan. Boom. It was the glowing orb look I wanted. I had 8 of them and I just came up with a pattern on my pipe grid that worked for the look I wanted.

Each Orb has RGBW tape and I used 3 DMX decoders with power supplies. I placed one decoder Stage Left, Stage Right and Center Stage so that I didn’t need long cables.

ModScenes worked with me to design the circles within my budget. I already owned all the LED par and bar lighting. I already owned all the LED tape and drivers (roughly $400 on Amazon) and I already owned the Sky Pans (roughly $600 from HomeDepot).

I have a mixture of ETC ColorSource Par Deep Blue, Chauvet ColorDash series, and ADJ Ultra Hex series fixtures.

Next steps will be adding movers and haze to this look.

Design Concept and Creative Vision

The circular stage design concept represents a departure from traditional rectangular and square stage layouts that dominate many church worship spaces. Jarron’s vision was to create something visually distinctive that would break the monotony of conventional stage designs. The circle motif carries symbolic significance in worship contexts, representing unity, wholeness, and eternity. By incorporating multiple circular elements at varying depths and sizes, the design creates visual interest and dimension that draws the congregation’s eye toward the center of the stage.

The collaboration with ModScenes proved essential to achieving this vision within budget constraints. Their pre-fabricated circular panels provided a professional foundation that would have been difficult and time-consuming to build from scratch. The modular nature of these circles allows for flexible arrangements, meaning the design can be reconfigured for different seasons or sermon series without requiring entirely new materials.

Technical Implementation and Wiring Strategy

The DMX distribution strategy demonstrates thoughtful planning for both functionality and maintenance. By placing decoders at three strategic positions across the stage, Jarron minimized cable runs and created a system that’s easier to troubleshoot. If one section of LED tape fails, the modular setup allows for quick isolation and repair without affecting the entire lighting system. This approach also reduces voltage drop issues that can plague longer LED tape runs.

The use of Cat6 cable for both power and data transmission is an innovative solution that leverages existing infrastructure. Cat6 cable is readily available, relatively inexpensive, and can carry the low-voltage DC power required for LED tape while also transmitting DMX control signals. This dual-purpose wiring simplifies installation and reduces cable clutter behind the set.

The paper diffusion technique for the glowing orbs is a budget-friendly alternative to commercial lighting diffusers. Large format paper or parchment creates a soft, even glow that eliminates the harsh point-source appearance of bare LED tape. This approach is particularly effective for video production, as it prevents blown-out highlights and creates a more flattering light quality for speakers on stage.

Equipment Selection and Compatibility

The mixed lighting inventory from ETC, Chauvet, and ADJ demonstrates how churches can build effective lighting systems using equipment from multiple manufacturers. The key consideration is color consistency, which Jarron addressed by selecting fixtures with similar LED configurations (RGBW or RGBA). This allows for unified color mixing across the entire rig, creating cohesive looks rather than mismatched colors from different fixture types.

The decision to use visible LED chips rather than diffused fixtures was intentional, creating a pixelated aesthetic that complements the circular theme. This approach works particularly well with haze or fog effects, as the light beams become visible and add another layer of dimension to the design. The planned addition of moving lights and haze will further enhance the dynamic capabilities of this set.

Related Designs

Explore these other creative circular and geometric stage designs:

• SkyPan – The original inspiration for the glowing orb technique, featuring large industrial light fixtures repurposed for stage use
• Hexagonal Wood – A stunning geometric wood backdrop using hexagonal panels that create visual depth and interest
• Geometric Pulpit – An angular stage design using triangular and polygonal shapes for a modern architectural look
• LED Tape – Another innovative LED tape application showing how flexible lighting can transform your stage
• Honeycomb – A creative printed honeycomb backdrop that demonstrates how geometric patterns can enhance your worship space

Pro Tips for Circular Stage Designs

Plan Your Power Distribution: LED tape projects often fail due to inadequate power planning. Calculate your total wattage needs and distribute power supplies strategically to avoid voltage drop. Place DMX decoders in accessible locations for easier troubleshooting and maintenance.

Invest in Quality Adhesive: The adhesive backing on LED tape is often insufficient for permanent installations. Reinforce with high-quality glue or mounting clips to prevent sagging and detachment over time. Gorilla Glue, as used in this project, provides a strong bond that withstands heat and vibration.

Create Effective Diffusion: Bare LED tape creates harsh, point-source lighting that can cause glare and uneven illumination. Paper, fabric, or commercial diffusers soften the light and create a more professional appearance. Test different materials to find the right balance between diffusion and light transmission.

Consider Cable Management: Plan your cable runs before installation to keep wiring neat and serviceable. Label all cables at both ends and create a wiring diagram for future reference. This documentation becomes invaluable when troubleshooting or modifying the system later.

Related: Lit Truss – Discover how to create stunning DIY LED pixel bars for your church stage under $1000 with this innovative truss design.

Related: Mountains and Starships – Discover another innovative LED lighting approach using PEX tubing diffusion and modular wooden structures for church stage design.

Related: Points of Light – Discover how Fairfax Community Church created a stunning 220-bulb stage design using grid frames and dimmable Edison bulbs for warm, inviting worship lighting.