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Stagehand

Stagehands set up and operate equipment used during performances in the theatre, at concerts and in TV and film studios.

Annual Salary

£21,000 to £32,000

Average UK salary in 2023 was £34,963
(source Office for National Statistics)

Working hours

40 to 50 variable

You could work: freelance / self-employed; away from home

0.5%
Future employment

There will be 0.5% more Stagehand jobs in 2027.

Day to day tasks

As a stagehand, you could:

  • load and unload stage equipment
  • help carpenters build and put up scenery
  • follow production plans to set up stages and rigging
  • control a fly system to hoist and lower lighting and scenery during rehearsals and performances
  • programme and operate sound, video and visual effects equipment
  • maintain and repair technical equipment

Working environment

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

Your working environment may be physically demanding, cramped and at height.

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
  • sound, lighting and live event technology

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
For more information
  • equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
  • student finance for fees and living costs|https://www.gov.uk/student-finance
  • university courses and entry requirements|https://www.ucas.com/
College

You could take a college course, which would teach you some of the skills you would need when looking for a trainee job with a theatre or production company.

Courses include:

  • production arts
  • sound engineering
  • technical and production practice for the creative industries
  • T Level in Media, Broadcast and Production

Apprenticeship

You could apply to do a Creative Industries Production Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship.

This can take around 2 years to complete and is a mix of workplace learning and off-the-job study.

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
For more information
  • equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
  • guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide
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 to find out about possible opportunities.

Volunteering and work experience

Any practical backstage experience you can get will be helpful when you apply for courses and training. You can get relevant experience from:

  • student, amateur and community theatre
  • working as a casual stagehand in local theatre venues

More information

Career tips

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

Further information

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

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

You could do a creative industries production manager degree apprenticeship to become a stage manager.

You may wish to work freelance for:theatre venues; TV or film studios; touring theatre companies; large-scale concert tours

Creative Choices has more information about careers in the theatre and the performing arts.

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Skills required and how your skills match up

What skills are required?

You'll need:

  • the ability to work well with others
  • the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
  • knowledge of building and construction
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • physical skills like movement, coordination, dexterity and grace
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • the ability to work well with your hands
  • knowledge of public safety and security
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently
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