Description
Theatre technicians execute all technical tasks to support live performances. They build and break down stages and decors, install and operate sound, light, recording and video equipment and organise the transport of decors and technical equipment for performances on displacement.
Duties
Here are some of the duties and responsibilities of a theatre technician:
- Operating technical equipment and systems in the performing arts and entertainment industry
- Set construction and theatrical carpentry
- Sound system configuration and operation
- Lighting design and light board operation, followspot operation, hanging and maintenance of stage lighting instruments as well as various other electrical jobs
- Flying of scenery and occasionally even actors by fly men
- Rigging of moveable and stationary set pieces by riggers
- Stage management
- Costume and prop management
Other titles
The following job titles also refer to theatre technician:
lighting technician
stage technician
audio technician
theatrical technician
theatre tech
performance technician
stagehand
Working conditions
Theatre technicians work in a fast-paced and dynamic environment, often under tight deadlines and with multiple productions running simultaneously. They may work irregular hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, depending on the performance schedule. The work environment can vary from small community theatres to large professional venues. Theatre technicians often work backstage, in control booths, or in designated technical areas. They may be required to climb ladders, lift heavy equipment, and work at heights. Close collaboration and effective communication with the production team, performers, and other technicians are essential for a successful production.
Minimum qualifications
A formal education in theatre production or a related field is beneficial but not always required. Many theatre technicians acquire their skills through hands-on experience, apprenticeships, or technical training programs. Familiarity with theatre technology, lighting and sound systems, rigging, and stage machinery is crucial. Theatre technicians should have a good understanding of theatrical production processes, industry standards, and safety protocols. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work well under pressure are important attributes. Effective communication and teamwork skills are also essential for collaborating with diverse production teams and managing technical cues during performances.
ISCO skill level
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.
Theatre technician is a Skill level 3 occupation.
Theatre technician career path
Similar occupations
These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to theatre technician.
stage machinist
scenery technician
stage technician
followspot operator
automated fly bar operator
Long term prospects
These occupations require some skills and knowledge of theatre technician. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of theatre technician with a significant experience and/or extensive training.
mask maker
technical director
puppet designer
video designer
lighting director
Essential skills and competences
These skills are necessary for the role of theatre technician.
- 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.
- Follow time cues: Observe the conductor, orchestra or director and follow text and vocal score to time cues accurately.
- Set up technical stage equipment: Install mechanical and technical stage equipment. Test the installation to make sure everything is in working order.
- Draw up lighting plan: Create technical drawings and documentation within the lighting department.
- 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.
- Operate stage movement control system: Operate control systems for stage movement, e.g. flying mechanisms. Use manual or electric systems.
- De-rig electronic equipment: Remove and store various types of electronic equipment safely after use.
- 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.
- Assemble performance equipment: Set up sound, light and video equipment on stage before performance event according to specifications.
- 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.
- Assemble scenic elements on stage: Assemble scenic elements, dance and stage floors and stage cloths, based on written documents
- 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.
- Modify scenic elements during performance: Change-over of scenic elements during performance, and follow the relevant documentation during performance.
- Set up follow spots: Set up and test follow spots in different types of locations.
- Assemble truss constructions: Use trusses, metal structures that derive strength from their construction involving triangular shapes, to construct stages for performances.
- Set up equipment in a timely manner: Make sure to set up equipment according to deadlines and time schedules.
- Focus lighting equipment: Focus already installed conventional lighting equipment, based on directions and information from somebody on the floor.
Optional skills and competences
These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of theatre technician. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.
- Manage technical resources stock: Manage and monitor technical resources stock to ensure that production demands and deadlines can be met at all times.
- 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.
- 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.
- Assess power needs: Prepare and manage the provision of electrical power for different areas.
- Perform quality control of design during a run: Control and ensure the quality of design results during a run.
- Communicate during show: Efficient communication during live performance, anticipate any possible malfunctioning.
- Adapt artistic plan to location: Adjust plans to other locations with regards to the artistic concept.
- Work safely with machines: Check and safely operate machines and equipment required for your work according to manuals and instructions.
- Prevent technical problems with stage equipment: Anticipate possible problems with mechanical and electromechanical stage equipment.
- Prevent technical problems with lighting equipment: Anticipate possible technical problems with lighting equipment.
- 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.
- Interact with actions on stage: Take cues from actions on the stage and interact with them. Decide on the exact timing and procedure in a live environment, in order to produce a fluid and consistent performance.
- 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.
- 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.
- Support a designer in the developing process: Support designers in the course of the developing process.
- Coach staff for running the performance: Give instructions to all team members about how they should run the performance.
- Organise resources for artistic production: Coordinate human, material and capital resources within artistic productions, based on the given documentation e.g. scripts.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Maintain system layout for a production: Establish a workable layout for the system you manage and maintain it for the duration of a production.
- Store performance equipment: Safely dismantle sound, light and video equipment after a performance event. Make sure the equipment is correctly stored away.
- 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.
ISCO group and title
3435 – Other artistic and cultural associate professionals
References
- Theatre technician – ESCO
- Stage Technician Careers | The Princeton Review
- Featured image: Photo by Rodrigo Ruiz on Unsplash