Do you want to become a Stagehand? Here is some information to help point you in the right direction:
Job Description - 
Print Page
Bookmark or recommend this article:
Stagehands work backstage on theatrical productions including plays, musicals, opera and ballet. They do a variety of jobs, including:
Stagehands also attend rehearsals to become familiar with scene changes and items needed throughout the performance. Operating mechanical scenery-moving equipment may involve heavy manual work. However, more systems are becoming fully automated.
Stagehands work flexible, often unsocial hours, and often have to move away from home for their job. Working conditions are sometimes hot, dark and dusty.
Salaries range from around £12,000 to £30,000 or more.
A stagehand should be:
Most opportunities are in London and other major UK cities. Many other towns, and some rural venues, have theatres and concert halls too.
There are no set academic requirements for becoming a stagehand. A real interest in the workings of a theatre or concert hall is more important. Some people enter the profession full time after working as casual backstage staff at their local theatre.
There are useful qualifications such as BTEC awards in performing arts, and degrees in stage management or theatrical production. Some theatres offer training in conjunction with local colleges. There is no upper age limit for becoming a stagehand.
Training is usually on the job, with new stagehands receiving instruction and guidance from the technical stage manager or another experienced staff member. The Association of British Theatre Technicians run short courses in all technical aspects of theatre work. These build up to bronze, silver and gold awards.
Stagehands with good knowledge and experience can be promoted to stage technician or technical stage manager.
Do you know of a useful and relevant website that would be helpful to our users? Tell us about it by emailing 
