The proper chronological order of theatrical lighting practices is: the sun, candles and oil lamps, gaslight, limelight, incandescent lights, and LEDs.
The correct chronological order of theatrical lighting practices starts with the most natural and oldest source of light, the sun, followed by artificial means such as candles and oil lamps. As technological advances were made, gaslight became prevalent, which then was supplanted by the limelight. Following the limelight, the incandescent light made a significant impact on lighting in theatre.
Electricity came to revolutionize every aspect of life, including lighting design for theatre, leading to a scenario where the design started to approximate real-life settings like sunlight or moonlight. The transition to more energy-efficient and adaptable lighting came with the introduction of Light Emitting Diodes, better known as LEDs. Therefore, the correct sequence is the sun, candles and oil lamps, gaslight, limelight, incandescent lights, LEDs.
So, the theatrical lighting evolved greatly over the centuries, enhancing not only visibility but also contributing significantly to the storytelling and atmosphere within theatre productions.