Will I be able to use my Olympus E410 for theatre Photography?

I am a photography student and been given 4 jobs photographing a childerns theatre production. With it being low light i was wondering if my E410 with a maximum ISO of 1600 will cut it. I have read lot's of articles that suggest you need to crank the ISO up to 3200 and sometimes 6400. I have a fast sigma lens but I am worried about the E410 itself.

If the production is using a proper theater, with theater lighting, there should be plenty of light.

Contact the theaters manager and go take some test shots with the lighting that will be present during the performance.

If possible, shoot during the dress rehearsal, so you can get on stage and get close up shots of the performers.

If you have a fast lens and you have a maximum iso of 1600 you should be ok. The main thing you should be concerned about is how these images will be printed. I am assuming that the images will not be printed any larger than say 8x10 and I am guessing that the print quality itself will be printed on a line screen of around 85 lpi, which means your images wont be rendered to their full detail. On the other hand if the images are being printed large, and at a high LPI, then you may be in trouble if your goal is to produce an image of the highest quality.

Yes, increase the ISO to whatever your camera can handle

I'd say, it's better to have a grainy print than one that is blurry photo. (because either you and / or the subject(s) move because the shutter speed is too low due to low ISO setting).

Below, at ISO 1,600, Canon 5D with 24-70 mm f 2.8 L

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2149/2267...

And of course, no flash.

And take plenty!! At dressed rehearsal would be best as you may have to get up and move about to get the best shot.