I'm still on my first cup of coffee and may be misinterpreting what I see, but ...

The size of the glossy speculars on the sphere implies lights that are 30 to 40 feet across shining on the stage, but that magically do not cast any shadow.

The shadows indicate the strongest light source is behind the drum.

I can barely understand what I'm seeing with all the contradictions here.

When evaluating a shader, use one low IBL and one spot or infinite.

---

Renderosity forum reply notifications are wonky. If I read a follow-up in a thread, but I don't myself reply, then notifications no longer happen AT ALL on that thread. So if I seem to be ignoring a question, that's why. (Updated September 23, 2019)