Live concert touring and DJ performances are fundamentally non-linear: operators busk on the fly using faders, flash pads, and audio-reactive macros. In contrast, theatrical drama, opera, musicals, and corporate keynotes demand a strictly structured, reproducible sequence. Every lighting shift is anchored to a specific line of dialogue, an actor's entrance, or an offstage audio effect.

Unilighter accommodates both paradigms. Within the **Functions Widget**, operators can switch between freeform button grids, traditional sequential **Cue Lists**, and an industry-first **Theatrical Scenario Script Mode**.

![Theatrical Scenario Script Mode - Full play screenplay with embedded interactive cue badges, stage directions, scene navigation, and live stopwatch timer](https://unilighter.cc/info/docs/cuelists/scenario_script_mode_a3ab2465.png)

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## 🎭 The Three Operating Modes of Functions Widget

When editing a Functions Widget on the [Live Dashboard](https://unilighter.cc/info/for-ai/docs/dashboard.md), open widget settings to toggle between three distinct workflow modes:

| Mode | Target Workflow | Primary Controls |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| **`buttons`** | Live concert busking, festivals, DJ sets | Grid of momentary or toggle buttons for scenes, chases, and node graphs. |
| **`cue-list`** | Theatrical drama, dance performances | Linear cue stacks with Cue numbers, Go / Back / Pause transport, and fade times. |
| **`scenario`** | Screenplay reading, drama rehearsals, timed shows | Full rich-text script view with inline cue badges and built-in stopwatch. |

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## 📜 Theatrical Scenario Script Mode

In traditional theater booths, the lighting operator must juggle a paper script binder on their lap while keeping their fingers on the console's Go button. If the cast skips a line or jumps ahead during a live rehearsal, synchronizing the cue stack becomes stressful.

**Scenario Script Mode** solves this by embedding the play's screenplay directly into the digital control console:

### 1. Rich Text Play Script
Lighting designers or stage managers can paste the complete screenplay (dialogue, act/scene headings, character names, and italicized stage directions) directly into the widget editor.

### 2. Inline Interactive Cue Badges (`<function>`)
Lighting states are embedded directly inside the dialogue as clickable badges:
- **Scene Badges** (blue): Static looks such as *Stage Wash — Blue Fade In* or *Blackout*.
- **Animation Badges** (red): Dynamic movement such as *Strobe Burst Animation* or *Amber Sweep*.
- **Node Graph Badges** (green): Procedural sound-to-light or wave automation such as *Audio Reactive LFO Graph*.

Clicking any inline badge immediately fires that cue, allowing operators to trigger changes intuitively right as the actor utters the cue word.

### 3. Integrated Live Stopwatch
A built-in digital timer (`00:00.00`) with Play, Pause, and Reset controls sits in the widget header. This enables stage managers and operators to track exact scene durations during technical runs and dress rehearsals.

### 4. Sequential Rehearsal Navigation
The navigation header provides dedicated step controls:
- **`|◂ First`**: Jumps to the opening cue of the production.
- **`◂ Prev`**: Steps backward to the previous cue in the script.
- **`Next ▸`**: Advances to the upcoming cue.
- **`Last ▸|`**: Advances directly to the show finale.

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## ⏱️ Crossfades & Transition Settings

In theatrical lighting, snap transitions can ruin an intimate dramatic moment. Right-clicking or clicking the transition icon on any scenario cue badge opens the **Transition Editor**:

- **Crossfade Duration**: Define exact transition times in seconds or milliseconds (e.g. `3.5s` slow evening fade-out vs. `0.2s` lightning strike).
- **Easing Curves**: Select between linear crossfades, smooth S-curves (`Ease In / Out`), or exponential fades.
- **Hold & Release**: Configure whether a triggered look holds indefinitely until superseded by a higher-priority cue, or releases automatically upon completion.

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## 🎛️ Standard Sequential Cue Lists

For venues that prefer standard theater numbering, the **`cue-list`** mode organizes cues into a vertical stack:
- **Cue Indexing**: Decimal numbering (`Cue 1.0`, `Cue 1.5`, `Cue 2.0`).
- **Split Fade Times**: Independent fade-in times for incoming fixtures and fade-out times for outgoing fixtures.
- **Auto-Follow Timers**: Automatically fire subsequent cues after a preset delay without requiring a second manual Go button press.

Read more in the **[Live Dashboard Guide](https://unilighter.cc/info/for-ai/docs/dashboard.md)** and the **[Function Widget Manual](https://unilighter.cc/info/for-ai/docs/dashboard/widget-function.md)**.