Stage technician

Stage technicians control different aspects of a performance based on the artistic or creative concept, in interaction with the performers. They prepare and perform the setup, program the equipment and operate various  systems. Stage technicians take care of lighting, sound, video, sets and/or fly systems. Their work is based on plans, instructions and calculations. They can work in small venues, theatres and other small artistic productions.

Stage technicians typically do the following duties:

• Assist with the setup and breakdown of stage equipment, including lighting, sound, and video systems, as well as props, scenery, and stage elements.
• Operate lighting consoles to control the placement, intensity, and color of stage lighting during performances, following cues from the lighting designer or director.
• Set up and operate audio systems, including microphones, speakers, mixing consoles, and playback devices, ensuring clear and balanced sound for performers and audience members.
• Assist with the installation and operation of video projection systems, screens, and cameras, coordinating with the video designer or director to ensure proper visual effects and content display.
• Collaborate with stage managers, directors, and performers to ensure smooth transitions and cues during rehearsals and performances, communicating effectively through backstage communication systems.
• Perform routine maintenance and troubleshooting of equipment, ensuring proper functionality and addressing any technical issues that may arise during performances.
• Follow safety protocols and guidelines to ensure a safe working environment for all crew members and performers, including proper handling of electrical equipment, rigging procedures, and stage movements.
• Participate in load-ins and load-outs, assisting with the transportation and placement of equipment and scenery, and ensuring efficient use of space backstage.
• Maintain an organized and clean backstage area, ensuring proper storage and inventory management of equipment, tools, and supplies.
• Stay updated on emerging technologies and industry trends related to stage production, attending training sessions or workshops to enhance technical skills and knowledge.
• Adapt to the specific requirements of different productions, including adjusting lighting, sound, or video cues based on the unique needs of each performance.

The following job titles also refer to stage technician:

theater technician
stage technician coordinator
all round event technician
stage technician manager
audio video and lighting technician
allround stage technician
theater technics operator
all round engineer
multi-skilled stage technician
all round theatre technician
stage technician assistant
audio visuals & lighting technician
theater technical operator
theatre technician
multi-skilled theatre operator
event technician
theatre technical operator
theatre technics operator
theatre technical officer
sound, lighting and video technician

Stage technicians work in indoor and sometimes outdoor settings, depending on the nature of the production. They may work in theaters, concert halls, arenas, or other performance venues. The work environment can be fast-paced and demanding, especially during rehearsals and live performances. Stage technicians often work evenings, weekends, and holidays to support scheduled events. They may be required to lift heavy equipment, climb ladders, and work at heights while ensuring their safety and the safety of others. Collaboration and effective communication with other crew members and performers are essential for successful stage productions.

While formal education requirements can vary, many stage technicians acquire their skills through vocational programs, technical schools, or on-the-job training. Some technicians may have a degree in theater production, technical theater, or a related field. Hands-on experience and practical training in stagecraft, lighting, sound, and rigging are crucial. Familiarity with stage equipment, including lighting consoles, audio mixers, and video systems, is necessary. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work well under pressure are important qualities for stage technicians. They should also have a good understanding of safety protocols and procedures in a live production environment.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Stage technician is a Skill level 3 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to stage technician.

video technician
scenery technician
intelligent lighting engineer
theatre technician
audio production technician

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of stage technician. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of stage technician with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

mask maker
video designer
technical director
puppet designer
lighting director

These skills are necessary for the role of stage technician.

• Work ergonomically: Apply ergonomy principles in the organisation of the workplace while manually handling equipment and materials.
• Understand artistic concepts: Interpret an artist’s explanation or demonstration of their artistic concepts, inceptions and processes and strive to share their vision.
• Draw stage layouts: Manual drawing or sketching of stage layouts.
• Plot lighting states: Set up and try out lighting states.
• Run a projection: Operate projection equipment safely and efficiently to project images on a background in an artistic or cultural context.
• Hang chain hoists: Install chain hoists in building constructions.
• Draw up lighting plan: Create technical drawings and documentation within the lighting department.
• Assess power needs: Prepare and manage the provision of electrical power for different areas.
• Distribute control signals: Distribute control signals between light boards, dimmers and other lighting equipment. Control systems can be either DMX or network based.
• Fit up sound on stage: Set up, rig, connect, test and tune audio equipment on stage.
• Work safely with machines: Check and safely operate machines and equipment required for your work according to manuals and instructions.
• Operate stage movement control system: Operate control systems for stage movement, e.g. flying mechanisms. Use manual or electric systems.
• Use personal protection equipment: Make use of protection equipment according to training, instruction and manuals. Inspect the equipment and use it consistently.
• Prevent technical problems with lighting equipment: Anticipate possible technical problems with lighting equipment.
• Pack electronic equipment: Safely pack sensitive electronic equipment for storage and transport.
• Adapt to artists’ creative demands: Work with artists, striving to understand the creative vision and adapting to it. Make full use of your talents and skills to reach the best possible result.
• Prevent fire in a performance environment: Take steps to prevent fire in a performance environment. Make sure the space complies with fire safety rules, with sprinklers and fire extinguishers installed where necessary. Make sure staff are aware of fire prevention measures.
• De-rig electronic equipment: Remove and store various types of electronic equipment safely after use.
• Prepare personal work environment: Correct settings or positions for your working instruments and adjust them before starting operations.
• Technically design a sound system: Set up, test and operate a complex audio system, based on a given sound concept. This could be a permanent as well as a temporary installation.
• Install lighting: Set up, connect and test lighting equipment in a live performance environment.
• Operate an audio mixing console: Operate an audio mixing system during rehearsals or during live performances.
• Set up light board: Install, connect and try out light board in a live performance environment.
• Assemble the rehearsal set: Put together all prepared scenic elements to prepare the rehearsal set.
• Operate dimmer equipment: Set up, connect and operate dimmer equipment (with plug and socket) in a live performance environment.
• Adjust projector: Adjust the controls of projection equipment to obtain a clear and well-positioned image.
• Manage personal professional development: Take responsibility for lifelong learning and continuous professional development. Engage in learning to support and update professional competence. Identify priority areas for professional development based on reflection about own practice and through contact with peers and stakeholders.
• Prevent technical problems with scenic elements: Anticipate possible technical problems with scenic elements.
• Assemble scenic elements on stage: Assemble scenic elements, dance and stage floors and stage cloths, based on written documents
• Work safely with mobile electrical systems under supervision: Take the necessary precautions while providing temporary power distribution for performance and art facility purposes under supervision.
• Work with respect for own safety: Apply the safety rules according to training and instruction and based on a solid understanding of the prevention measures and risks to your own personal health and safety.
• Dismantle the rehearsal set: Take apart all prepared scenic elements after the rehearsal.
• Handle scenic elements during rehearsal: Handle and assemble equipment and scenery material during rehearsal or on stage.
• Mark the information from the ground plans on the stage area: Interpret the designs and other scenic drawings to clearly mark the information from the ground plans to the stage area.
• Modify scenic elements during performance: Change-over of scenic elements during performance, and follow the relevant documentation during performance.
• Light a show: Light a show based on concrete production needs.
• Assemble truss constructions: Use trusses, metal structures that derive strength from their construction involving triangular shapes, to construct stages for performances.
• Keep up with trends: Monitor and follow new trends and developments in specific sectors.
• Set up equipment in a timely manner: Make sure to set up equipment according to deadlines and time schedules.
• Ensure visual quality of the set: Inspect and amend the scenery and set-dressing to make sure the visual quality is optimal with in constraints of time, budget and manpower.
• Provide power distribution: Provide power distribution for light, stage, sound, video and recording purposes.
• Follow safety procedures when working at heights: Take necessary precautions and follow a set of measures that assess, prevent and tackle risks when working at a high distance from the ground. Prevent endangering people working under these structures and avoid falls from ladders, mobile scaffolding, fixed working bridges, single person lifts etc. since they may cause fatalities or major injuries.
• Focus lighting equipment: Focus already installed conventional lighting equipment, based on directions and information from somebody on the floor.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of stage technician. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Draw up artistic production: File and document a production in all its phases right after the performance period so that it can be reproduced and all relevant information remains accessible.
• Operate follow spots: Operate follow spots during a live performance based on visual cues or documentation.
• Manage consumables stock: Manage and monitor consumables stock to ensure that the production demands and deadlines can be met at all times.
• Manage technical resources stock: Manage and monitor technical resources stock to ensure that production demands and deadlines can be met at all times.
• Operate a lighting console: Operate a light board during rehearsal or live situations, based on visual cues or documentation.
• Safeguard artistic quality of performance: Observe the show, anticipate and react to possible technical problems, ensuring optimal artistic quality.
• Write risk assessment on performing arts production: Assess risks, propose improvements and describe measures to be taken on a production level in performing arts.
• Perform first fire intervention: Intervene in the case of a fire in order to extinguish the fire or limit the effects pending the arrival of emergency services according to training and procedures.
• Maintain electrical equipment: Test electrical equipment for malfunctions. Take safety measures, company guidelines, and legislation concerning electrical equipment into account. Clean, repair and replace parts and connections as required.
• Ensure safety of mobile electrical systems: Take the necessary precautions while providing temporary power distribution independently. Measure and power up an installation.
• Adapt artistic plan to location: Adjust plans to other locations with regards to the artistic concept.
• Perform technical sound check: Prepare and run a technical sound check before rehearsals or live shows. Check instrument setup and ensure correct functioning of the audio equipment. Anticipate possible technical problems during a live show.
• Prevent technical problems with stage equipment: Anticipate possible problems with mechanical and electromechanical stage equipment.
• Draw up stage layouts digitally: Draw and design stage settings and layouts using software like CAD.
• Work safely with pyrotechnical materials in a performance environment: Take necessary precautions while preparing, transporting, storing, installing and operating pyrotechnical materials and explosives of class T1 and T2.
• Advise client on technical possibilities: Recommend technical solutions, including systems, to the client within the framework of a project.
• Translate artistic concepts to technical designs: Cooperate with the artistic team in order to facilitate the transition from the creative vision and its artistic concepts to a technical design.
• Keep personal administration: File and organise personal administration documents comprehensively.
• Maintain lighting equipment: Check, maintain and repair electrical, mechanical and optical lighting elements.
• Promote yourself: Market one’s own strengths in terms of skills and knowledge.
• Manage signoff of an installed system: Make sure an installed technical system is adequately transferred and signed off for.
• Develop professional network: Reach out to and meet up with people in a professional context. Find common ground and use your contacts for mutual benefit. Keep track of the people in your personal professional network and stay up to date on their activities.
• Edit recorded sound: Edit audio footage using a variety of sofware, tools, and techniques such as crossfading, speed effects, and removing unwanted noises.
• Consult with stakeholders on implementation of a production: Consult with different people and groups who hold a stake in the production. Be on the same page on the practical side of the production, and keep them up to date.
• Maintain dimmer equipment: Check and operate dimmer equipment. Take the appropriate steps if the equipment is defective, correcting the defect yourself or forwarding it to a specialised repair service.
• Document your own practice: Documenting your own work practice for different purposes like assessment, time management, job application etc.
• Maintain sound equipment: Set up, check, maintain and repair sound equipment for a live performance establishment.
• Set up follow spots: Set up and test follow spots in different types of locations.
• Maintain system layout for a production: Establish a workable layout for the system you manage and maintain it for the duration of a production.
• Operate sound live: Operate sound system and audio devices during rehearsals or in a live situation.
• Work safely with stage weapons: Take necessary precautions while preparing, transporting, storing, training and operating stage weapons (stabbing weapons, shooting weapons, etc).

3435 – Other artistic and cultural associate professionals

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References

1. Stage technician – ESCO
2. Stage Technician Careers – The Princeton Review
3. Stage Technician Job Description: Salary, Duties, & More – Climb the Ladder
4. Featured image: Photo by Maxime Bhm on Unsplash