The schedule for rigging of the lighting is coordinated with the get-in of the scenery. Often, the design of the scenery dictates that rigging must be split into two phases - first the luminaires to be hung in places which will be inaccessible once the scenery is in place are rigged, then the scenery is erected, and then, often a day or two later, the rigging of the lighting is completed  .		An accurate and well detailed lighting plot will make rigging smooth. With all numbers and pertinent information included, with the luminaires carefully positioned and spaced, and with the luminaires symbols oriented in the direction of the light beams, rigging should be fast and efficient.

When there is a large crew, it is possible for them to split into smaller teams, each of which will be responsible for the
rigging of certain lighting positions. In this case, separate plans of each lighting position will be used  .

The procedure of rigging is usually as follows:

1. The pipe is lowered to stage level
2. The luminaires are hung in place
3. Color frames with the appropriate filters are inserted in place
4. Hook-up to the electrical inputs
5. Hook-up to appropriate dimmers
6. Each luminaire is tested and the dimmer hook-up verified
7. Exact placement of luminaires is verified
8. Color filters are checked
9. The pipe is lifted to the required height.

All adjustments and changes in the lighting rig must be updated on the lighting plot and the accompanying lists.
As soon as rigging is completed, the designer can begin to focus the lights.