Stage technician, backstage crew member

Stagehands help to get things ready on set for performances in the theatre, at concerts and in TV and film studios.

Salary range: £15,000 to £20,000

How to become a stagehand

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role

University

You can do a foundation degree or degree in a subject like:

• stage and production management
• sound engineering and production
• theatre and production arts

Entry requirements

You’ll usually need:

• at least 1 A level, or equivalent, for a foundation degree
• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

More information

• equivalent entry requirements
• student finance for fees and living costs
• university courses and entry requirements

College

You can take a college course, for example:

• Level 2 Certificate in Technical Theatre Support
• Level 3 Diploma in Production Arts

The skills you’ll learn on these courses could help when you look for a trainee job with a stage or production company.

Entry requirements

You’ll usually need:

• 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course

More information

• equivalent entry requirements
• funding advice
• search for courses

Apprenticeship

You can get into this job through a creative technician or technical theatre advanced apprenticeship.

Entry requirements

You’ll usually need:

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

More information

• equivalent entry requirements
• guide to apprenticeships

Work

You may be able to start in a theatre or venue as a member of the casual backstage staff and work your way up.

You can contact a theatre’s resident stage manager or master carpenter to find out about possible opportunities.

Volunteering and experience

Any backstage experience you have from school, college, amateur or fringe productions will be helpful.

More information

Career tips

You may have an advantage if you’ve got skills and experience in carpentry, electrical work, sound or lighting.

Further information

You can find out more about working and training as a stagehand from Creative Choices and the Association of British Theatre Technicians.

You can get more information on working in creative careers from Discover Creative Careers.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You’ll need:

• knowledge of building and construction
• the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
• the ability to work well with others
• the ability to use your initiative
• knowledge of maths
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• persistence and determination
• the ability to come up with new ways of doing things
• to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

What you’ll do

Day-to-day tasks

Your day-to-day duties may include:

• loading and unloading equipment
• helping carpenters build and put up scenery
• attending rehearsals
• moving scenery, furniture and heavy equipment 
• opening and closing theatre screens and curtains between acts
• operating manual and automated scenery-moving machinery
• clearing the stage or studio and backstage area at the end of a performance

Working environment

You could work at a TV studio, at a film studio or in a theatre.

Your working environment may be physically demanding, you’ll travel often, cramped, noisy and at height.

Career path and progression

With experience, you could lead a crew of stagehands and scene builders. You could also take further training to become a production carpenter, sound or lighting engineer, or move into stage management.

You could also work freelance for theatre venues, TV or film studios, touring theatre companies and large-scale concert tours.

©opyright The CV Writer

The career profiles database is designed to compliment the sreries of five Career Advice Guides. Providing information covering the qualifications, skills, expertise and an overview of the responsibilites required for each job role that you can use to build your CV, application letters, application forms and that all important job interview.

For a more detailed description of what’s included in the pack click here

By placing your order with The CV Writer you agree to our Terms and Conditions in full.