Stagehands, also known as stage technicians or crew, work backstage with scenery, props and special effects in theatrical productions and concerts. They must know exactly where and when to move objects and scenery during the performance.

The work involves:

• loading and unloading equipment
• helping carpenters to build and put up scenery
• attending rehearsals, to become familiar with every scene change
• moving scenery, furniture and heavy equipment during performances
• opening and closing curtains
• operating manual and automated scenery-moving machinery
• clearing the stage and backstage area at the end of the performance.

They work as part of team under the direction of a master carpenter, technical manager or stage manager.

Hours and Environment

As a stagehands your hours of work will vary according to the needs of performance. Most of your work will be during evening performances, although you will also sometimes work during the day at rehearsals or afternoon shows. You may not finish work until the early hours of the morning after a show.

Conditions backstage may sometimes be cramped and hot. You may need to work at heights on ladders or walkways above the stage. You will also have to lift, pull and push heavy objects.

You will wear black clothing during a performance, for making scene changes in the dark. You may also need to wear protective clothing like safety boots for some tasks.

You could work in one venue, or you may travel to different venues throughout the UK and overseas if touring with a production.

Skills and Interests

To be a stagehand you should:

• be interested in all aspects of theatre
• be physically fit to carry scenery and props
• work well as part of a team
• be flexible and adaptable, to tackle a variety of jobs
• be enthusiastic, patient and helpful
• feel comfortable to work at heights
• be safety conscious.

Entry

You do not need any formal qualifications to become a stagehand. To find work, you should usually make a direct approach to a theatre's resident stage manager or master carpenter. Many full-time stagehands progress from being casual backstage staff.

Stage managers will be interested in your practical experience and enthusiasm for the theatre. Any experience within a theatre setting is useful, including school, college, amateur or fringe productions.

In practice, many stagehands take technical theatre or stage management courses at college or university. This is not essential, but it will show that you are interested in the theatre and can be useful if you want to progress into technical theatre or stage management. Relevant courses include:

• BTEC Level 3 National Certificate or Diploma in Performing Arts (Production or Technical)
• Higher National Diploma (HND) in Performing Arts (Production or Technical)
• degree in stage management or technical theatre.

You will usually need at least four GCSEs (A-C)/S grades (1-3) or equivalent qualifications to get on to a National Diploma course. Please check with colleges or universities for exact entry requirements for HNDs and degrees.

You will find it helpful to have skills, experience and qualifications in carpentry, electrical work, sound or lighting.

Training

You will be trained on the job by experienced backstage staff.

You may also be able to take some short courses in skills such as:

• health and safety
• scaffolds and towers
• using hydraulics and pulleys
• pyrotechnics.

See the Association of British Theatre Technicians website for details of relevant short courses for stagehands and other backstage technical staff.

If you want to progress into technical theatre and production roles, you can take a technical theatre or stage management course. You can find a full list of accredited courses (usually degrees or postgraduate diplomas) on the National Council for Drama Training (NCDT) website.

Please also see the Stage Manager, Prop Maker, Theatre Sound Engineer and Lighting Technician profiles for more information.

Opportunities

As a stagehand you could work for:

• regional theatres
• large theatres in London's West End
• touring theatre companies
• large-scale pop, rock or classical concert tours.

Some stagehands work freelance.

With experience, you could lead a crew of stagehands and scene builders, or become a production carpenter or even a tour manager. With extra training you could move into stage management.

Annual Income

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

In small theatres, casual show staff may be unpaid but gain experience and free tickets to shows.
Full-time stagehands in larger theatres could earn between £10,000 and £15,000 per year.
Experienced freelance theatre technicians may earn between £15,000 and £25,000.

Further information

55 Farringdon Road
London
EC1M 3JB
Tel: 020 7242 9200 1-7 Woburn Walk
London
WC1H 0JJ
Tel: 020 7387 3650 55 Farringdon Road
London
EC1M 3JB
Tel: 020 7242 9250