Arts & EntertainmentISCO 3435
Scenery technician
Scenery technicians setup, prepare, check and maintain pre-assembled sets in order to provide optimal scenery quality for a live performance. They cooperate with road crew to unload, set up and move equipment and sets.
Check yourself in a minute: scenery technician
Rate 5 of the 24 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.
understand artistic concepts
draw stage layouts
organise stage
work safely with machines
use personal protection equipment
European Skills Framework
Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.
Essential (24)
work ergonomicallywork ergonomicallyApply ergonomy principles in the organisation of the workplace while manually handling equipment and materials.understand artistic conceptsunderstand artistic conceptsInterpret an artist's explanation or demonstration of their artistic concepts, inceptions and processes and strive to share their vision.draw stage layoutsdraw stage layoutsManual drawing or sketching of stage layouts.organise stageorganise stageMaking sure the scene elements like props and furniture are placed according to specifications, procuring the costumes and wigs and making sure everybody is ready in the right time and place.work safely with machineswork safely with machinesCheck and safely operate machines and equipment required for your work according to manuals and instructions.use personal protection equipmentuse personal protection equipmentMake use of protection equipment according to training, instruction and manuals. Inspect the equipment and use it consistently.adapt to artists' creative demandsadapt to artists' creative demandsWork with artists, striving to understand the creative vision and adapting to it. Make full use of your talents and skills to reach the best possible result.prevent fire in a performance environmentprevent fire in a performance environmentTake steps to prevent fire in a performance environment. Make sure the space complies with fire safety rules, with sprinklers and fire extinguishers installed where necessary. Make sure staff are awar...prepare personal work environmentprepare personal work environmentCorrect settings or positions for your working instruments and adjust them before starting operations.work safely with chemicalswork safely with chemicalsTake the necessary precautions for storing, using and disposing chemical products.assemble the rehearsal setassemble the rehearsal setPut together all prepared scenic elements to prepare the rehearsal set.assemble scenic elements on stageassemble scenic elements on stageAssemble scenic elements, dance and stage floors and stage cloths, based on written documents.work safely with mobile electrical systems under supervisionwork safely with mobile electrical systems under supervisionTake the necessary precautions while providing temporary power distribution for performance and art facility purposes under supervision.work with respect for own safetywork with respect for own safetyApply the safety rules according to training and instruction and based on a solid understanding of the prevention measures and risks to your own personal health and safety.dismantle the rehearsal setdismantle the rehearsal setTake apart all prepared scenic elements after the rehearsal.handle scenic elements during rehearsalhandle scenic elements during rehearsalHandle and assemble equipment and scenery material during rehearsal or on stage.mark the stage areamark the stage areaInterpret the designs and other scenic drawings to clearly mark the information from the ground plans to the stage area.modify scenic elements during performancemodify scenic elements during performanceChange-over of scenic elements during performance, and follow the relevant documentation during performance.use technical documentationuse technical documentationUnderstand and use technical documentation in the overall technical process.store performance equipmentstore performance equipmentDismantle sound, light and video equipment after a performance event and store in a safe place.keep up with trendskeep up with trendsMonitor and follow new trends and developments in specific sectors.set up equipment in a timely mannerset up equipment in a timely mannerMake sure to set up equipment according to deadlines and time schedules.ensure visual quality of the setensure visual quality of the setInspect and amend the scenery and set-dressing to make sure the visual quality is optimal with in constraints of time, budget and manpower.follow safety procedures when working at heightsfollow safety procedures when working at heightsTake necessary precautions and follow a set of measures that assess, prevent and tackle risks when working at a high distance from the ground. Prevent endangering people working under these structures...
Optional (27) — show
draw up artistic productiondraw up artistic productionFile and document a production in all its phases right after the performance period so that it can be reproduced and all relevant information remains accessible.manage consumables stockmanage consumables stockManage and monitor consumables stock to ensure that the production demands and deadlines can be met at all times.manage technical resources stockmanage technical resources stockManage and monitor technical resources stock to ensure that production demands and deadlines can be met at all times.set up technical stage equipmentset up technical stage equipmentInstall mechanical and technical stage equipment. Test the installation to make sure everything is in working order.safeguard artistic quality of performancesafeguard artistic quality of performanceObserve the show, anticipate and react to possible technical problems, ensuring optimal artistic quality.change over propschange over propsSet, remove, or move props on a stage during a changeover.develop drama production processdevelop drama production processHave and develop a thorough understanding of the dramatic production process.adapt artistic plan to locationadapt artistic plan to locationAdjust plans to other locations with regards to the artistic concept.prevent technical problems with stage equipmentprevent technical problems with stage equipmentAnticipate possible problems with mechanical and electromechanical stage equipment.identify technical resources for performancesidentify technical resources for performancesIdentify the technical equipment required for rehearsals and performances and the necessary production elements such as sets, props and costumes.draw up stage layouts digitallydraw up stage layouts digitallyDraw and design stage settings and layouts using software like CAD.advise client on technical possibilitiesadvise client on technical possibilitiesRecommend technical solutions, including systems, to the client within the framework of a project.translate artistic concepts to technical designstranslate artistic concepts to technical designsCooperate with the artistic team in order to facilitate the transition from the creative vision and its artistic concepts to a technical design.adapt designers’ work to the performance venueadapt designers’ work to the performance venueReorient the work of performance collaborators, such as musicians, dancers, actors as well as artistic and technical collaborators, such as set designers, lighting operators and stage managers.preset propspreset propsArrange props on the stage in preparation of a performance.keep personal administrationkeep personal administrationFile and organise personal administration documents comprehensively.manage personal professional developmentmanage personal professional developmentTake responsibility for lifelong learning and continuous professional development. Engage in learning to support and update professional competence. Identify priority areas for professional developmen...prevent technical problems with scenic elementsprevent technical problems with scenic elementsAnticipate possible technical problems with scenic elements.manage signoff of an installed systemmanage signoff of an installed systemMake sure an installed technical system is adequately transferred and signed off for.prepare the floor for performanceprepare the floor for performanceCheck the state of the floor, making sure that its absorption of impact, restitution of energy and adherence properties are adequate. Check the surface for cleanliness, any sharp edges, level differen...develop professional networkdevelop professional networkReach out to and meet up with people in a professional context. Find common ground and use your contacts for mutual benefit. Keep track of the people in your personal professional network and stay up ...consult with stakeholders on implementation of a productionconsult with stakeholders on implementation of a productionConsult with different people and groups who hold a stake in the production. Be on the same page on the practical side of the production, and keep them up to date.set up stage lightsset up stage lightsSet up and test stage lighting systems and technology, according to their specificity.document your own practicedocument your own practiceDocumenting your own work practice for different purposes like assessment, time management, job application etc.maintain system layout for a productionmaintain system layout for a productionEstablish a workable layout for the system you manage and maintain it for the duration of a production.maintain theatre setsmaintain theatre setsInstall, check, maintain and repair stages and sets.instruct on set up of equipmentinstruct on set up of equipmentInstruct others on how to properly and safely set up equipment according to specifications and regulations.
Related Occupations
Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.
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Frequently asked questions
What does a scenery technician do?
Scenery technicians setup, prepare, check and maintain pre-assembled sets in order to provide optimal scenery quality for a live performance. They cooperate with road crew to unload, set up and move equipment and sets.
What skills does a scenery technician need?
A scenery technician needs 24 essential skills, including work ergonomically, understand artistic concepts, draw stage layouts, organise stage, work safely with machines.
Will AI replace scenery technician jobs?
The AI disruption score for scenery technician is 18/100 (low risk). Skills most exposed to automation: keep personal administration, manage consumables stock, use technical documentation. Most resilient: change over props, dismantle the rehearsal set, work with respect for own safety.
AI Replacement Risk
18/ 100
Low Risk
Low riskHigh risk
Quick Facts
SectorArts & Entertainment
ISCO GroupLegal, social, cultural and related associate professionals
Essential Skills24
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