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- Help to get things ready on set for performances
- You'll need good physical fitness, stamina and good practical skills
- Exciting and fast paced work
As a stagehand you could work at a TV studio, at a film studio or in a theatre.
DAY-TO-DAY DUTIES
- Loading and unloading equipment
- Helping carpenters build and put up scenery
- Attending rehearsals
- Moving scenery, furniture and heavy equipment
- Opening and closing theatre curtains between acts
- Operating manual and automated scenery-moving machinery
- Clearing the stage or studio and backstage area at the end of the performance
DAY-TO-DAY ENVIRONMENT
Your hours will vary according to the needs of the show. Most theatre performances take place in the evening, but you'll also work in the afternoons during rehearsals or matinee shows. In film and TV most of the technical work is during the day. You might work in one venue, or travel to different venues when on tour. You'll sometimes need to work at height and your work may be physically demanding.
You'll need
This role would be ideal for someone with good physical fitness and stamina, good practical skills, and the ability to work under pressure.
There are no set requirements for this role.
Backstage experience from school, college, amateur or fringe productions will be helpful. It'll also help if you have skills and experience in carpentry, electrical work, sound or lighting.
You could take a college course, for example a Level 2 Certificate in Technical Theatre Support or Level 3 Diploma in Production Arts to learn some of the skills needed for this role. Or you could do a foundation degree or degree in a subject like stage and production management, sound engineering and production or theatre and production arts, although this isn't essential.
You could also start in a theatre or venue as a member of casual backstage staff and work your way up.
Alternatively you can also get into this job through a creative technician or technical theatre advanced apprenticeship.
CAREER PROSPECTS
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.