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Stagehand

Alternative titles for this job include Stage technician, backstage crew member

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

Average salary (a year)

£21,000 Starter

to

£32,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

40 to 50 variable

You could work

freelance / self-employed away from home

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become

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

More Information

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

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

More Information

Apprenticeship

You could apply to do a Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship, such as:

  • Creative Industries Production Technician
  • Scenic Automation Technician

These can take between 2 and 3 years to complete and are a mix of on-the-job training and study off site.

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

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

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.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

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, co-ordination and dexterity
  • 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

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

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.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

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, 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

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Creative Venue Technician apprenticeship

  • Wage: £25,466 a year Annually
  • Location: LONDON

Live Event Technician Apprenticeship

  • Wage: £156,000 a year Annually
  • Location: THE I O CENTRE, BRUNEL ROAD, BASINGSTOKE
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

Stage Management / Technical Theatre L3

  • Provider: CHICHESTER COLLEGE GROUP
  • Start date: 08 September 2025
  • Location: Chichester

Technical Theatre and Production Arts Level 3

  • Provider: COLCHESTER INSTITUTE
  • Start date: 01 September 2025
  • Location: Colchester
Find courses near you

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