Lighting Designer Released Spotlight Maestro Software
The new digital tool replaces paper followspot plots with networked, real-time cue sheets for live productions.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Software
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Lighting designer Gavan Swift has released Spotlight Maestro, a software application that digitizes followspot cueing for live productions. The tool replaces traditional paper plots with a networked system that displays cue sheets directly to operators.
Why it matters
The software was created to eliminate the manual labor of updating and reprinting paper plots throughout the production process. By streamlining cue management, the system aims to improve efficiency and accuracy for lighting crews in live environments.
Spotlight Maestro functions on local lighting networks, supporting ETC Eos, grandMA2, and grandMA3 consoles while running on macOS 11 or Windows 11. The system features 3 distinct operator layouts and supports input via keyboard, footswitch, or Stream Deck.
The players
Gavan Swift
He is a professional lighting designer who developed the Spotlight Maestro application to modernize production cueing workflows.
The details
The application runs on a single computer on the lighting network and pushes cues to operator devices through a web browser. Edits made to the master plot are reflected instantly across all operator screens, and the app automatically scrolls displays to match current lighting cues.
Timeline
Spotlight Maestro was officially released on September 22, 2026.
The Tech Race
This release reflects the broader industry movement to replace static, manual documentation with dynamic, real-time digital systems. It positions this software against legacy paper methods that have long been the standard for complex stage lighting operations.
Production crews can eliminate the need for printing and manual updates by utilizing the software across their existing lighting networks. Because the app does not require an internet connection, it remains a reliable option for various live performance venues.
The takeaway
Digital cue management allows lighting teams to maintain a single source of truth that updates in real time for all operators. Productions can implement these systems to reduce the administrative burden often associated with frequent show revisions.
Further reading
For more on the evolution of industry tools, explore our Software section.
More information
For installation details and technical requirements, visit the spotlight maestro software download.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Etnow.
Live Poll
Would you prefer using digital cueing software over traditional paper plots for live production?
