accessable panic switches are reasonable in seeming as a reason not to go key operated
switch.
Could be a question of perminantly masked but on work verses backstage lights verses ones that light the
stage in this case. Perhaps such lights that are masked from center
stage that are the off
stage lights or fall in with those used during the show in use which won't show up on
stage. When you enter the door, such lights will naturally be needed in at least that general area, much less to light you path to the audience area door or to the control panel that lights the work lights or cued
preset lights for non-show uses of the other panel.
In any case, if such work lights going in is a problem, where there is one
switch, there can be others. My first college had a
switch at the front of the theater and at both sides of back
stage that would hit the work lights. The booth also had another position for this. Should someone hit one of many switches, it was simple enough to shut them off without a run to the individual
switch position. By code, might even given the wattage and necessity of remote control over the overall watttage of lamps be able to remotely control by way of booth - autorized supervisors of the
system, allow the control booth or
stage manager's position to lock out the other remote controls of the
system.
Gets complex this control over the
switch at the door but not really that expensive to pre-configure for a theater. For the most part, provide adiquate off
stage lighting - especially to those entering the door or climbing to the top of the stairs and you don't have many issues with those in worries about their
safety, hitting the lights
switch by the door.
Masking tape over the individual
switch while forbidden for use of while working on fixtures powered up by this is anoter solution otherwise I would agree with during the production. Yes talk with the actors and let them know it's going to be dark when they enter the room. But also rely upon them forgetting.