Arts & EntertainmentISCO 3435
Stage technician
A stage technician is a person who controls the various aspects of a performance according to an artistic or creative concept, working with the performers. The technician prepares and carries out the installation, programmes the devices and operates the different systems, covering lighting, sound, video recording, scenery and rope systems, on the basis of plans, instructions and calculations. The work takes place in small venues, in theatres and on other small artistic productions.
Check yourself in a minute: stage technician
Rate 5 of the 48 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.
understand artistic concepts
draw stage layouts
plot lighting states
run a projection
hang chain hoists
About stage technician
Rigging a show comes before running it. The technician prepares their own work station, sets the installation, and programmes the equipment to the cues the production needs, working from drawings and calculations.
Running the show is live and unrepeatable. The technician adjusts the projector settings, modifies the stage elements during a performance, and handles the scenery during rehearsal, which is where the changes are worked out. A cue missed in performance cannot be taken again.
Safety is the standing condition of the work. The technician prevents fire at the performance venue, handles chemical substances safely, where haze, pyrotechnic materials and solvents are in use, and works ergonomically. Following current trends belongs to the role as well.
European Skills Framework
Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.
Essential (48)
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.plot lighting statesplot lighting statesSet up and try out lighting states.run a projectionrun a projectionOperate projection equipment safely and efficiently to project images on a background in an artistic or cultural context.hang chain hoistshang chain hoistsInstall chain hoists in building constructions.draw up lighting plandraw up lighting planCreate technical drawings and documentation within the lighting department.assess power needsassess power needsPrepare and manage the provision of electrical power for different areas.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.distribute control signalsdistribute control signalsDistribute control signals between light boards, dimmers and other lighting equipment. Control systems can be either DMX or network based.prepare sound equipment on stageprepare sound equipment on stageSet up, rig, connect, test and tune audio equipment on stage.work safely with machineswork safely with machinesCheck and safely operate machines and equipment required for your work according to manuals and instructions.operate stage movement control systemoperate stage movement control systemOperate control systems for stage movement, e.g. flying mechanisms. Use manual or electric systems.use personal protection equipmentuse personal protection equipmentMake use of protection equipment according to training, instruction and manuals. Inspect the equipment and use it consistently.prevent technical problems with lighting equipmentprevent technical problems with lighting equipmentAnticipate possible technical problems with lighting equipment.pack electronic equipmentpack electronic equipmentSafely pack sensitive electronic equipment for storage and transport.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.perform soundchecksperform soundchecksTest the sound equipment of a venue to ensure smooth operation during the performance. Cooperate with performers to make sure the venue equipment is adjusted for the requirements of the performance. C...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...de-rig electronic equipmentde-rig electronic equipmentRemove and store various types of electronic equipment safely after use.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.prepare personal work environmentprepare personal work environmentCorrect settings or positions for your working instruments and adjust them before starting operations.operate an audio mixing consoleoperate an audio mixing consoleOperate an audio mixing system during rehearsals or during live performances.set up light boardset up light boardInstall, connect and try out light board in a live performance environment.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.operate dimmer equipmentoperate dimmer equipmentSet up, connect and operate dimmer equipment (with plug and socket) in a live performance environment.rig lightsrig lightsRig, connect, try out and de-rig lighting equipment.find a replacement for stage managerfind a replacement for stage managerTake over tasks from the stage manager as required. Indicate key standby moments. Indicate when the house is open. Confirm that the performers are in position. Indicate the start of the performance. I...read lighting plansread lighting plansRead the instructions on the light plan to determine the light equipment needed and the right placement.adjust projectoradjust projectorAdjust the controls of projection equipment to obtain a clear and well-positioned image.prevent technical problems with scenic elementsprevent technical problems with scenic elementsAnticipate possible technical problems with scenic elements.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.set up projection equipmentset up projection equipmentInstall and connect equipment for projection in an artistic context.assemble truss constructionsassemble truss constructionsUse trusses, metal structures that derive strength from their construction involving triangular shapes, to construct stages for performances.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.provide power distributionprovide power distributionProvide power distribution for light, stage, sound, video and recording purposes.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...focus lighting equipmentfocus lighting equipmentFocus already installed conventional lighting equipment, based on directions and information from somebody on the floor.
Optional (40) — 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.operate follow spotsoperate follow spotsOperate follow spots during a live performance based on visual cues or documentation.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.operate a lighting consoleoperate a lighting consoleOperate a light board during rehearsal or live situations, based on visual cues or documentation.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.focus stage lightsfocus stage lightsFocus, direct, adjust and tune stage lights, either alone or leading a group. Coordinate with the team to determine the optimal lighting.safeguard artistic quality of performancesafeguard artistic quality of performanceObserve the show, anticipate and react to possible technical problems, ensuring optimal artistic quality.write risk assessment on performing arts productionwrite risk assessment on performing arts productionAssess risks, propose improvements and describe measures to be taken on a production level in performing arts.maintain electrical equipmentmaintain electrical equipmentTest electrical equipment for malfunctions. Take safety measures, company guidelines, and legislation concerning electrical equipment into account. Clean, repair and replace parts and connections as r...ensure safety of mobile electrical systemsensure safety of mobile electrical systemsTake the necessary precautions while providing temporary power distribution independently. Measure and power up an installation.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.draw up stage layouts digitallydraw up stage layouts digitallyDraw and design stage settings and layouts using software like CAD.technically design a sound systemtechnically design a sound systemSet up, test and operate a complex audio system, based on a given sound concept. This could be a permanent as well as a temporary installation.advise client on technical possibilitiesadvise client on technical possibilitiesRecommend technical solutions, including systems, to the client within the framework of a project.coordinate pre-show checkscoordinate pre-show checksCoordinate the final checks before a performance in order to ensure a safe, optimal functioning environment that is fully ready to start the show.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.manage performance light qualitymanage performance light qualityPerform light checks and adjust for optimal light quality before and during performance.keep personal administrationkeep personal administrationFile and organise personal administration documents comprehensively.maintain lighting equipmentmaintain lighting equipmentCheck, maintain and repair electrical, mechanical and optical lighting elements.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...operate a chain hoist control system for entertainmentoperate a chain hoist control system for entertainmentOperate a chain hoist control system for live stage performances.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 ...edit recorded soundedit recorded soundEdit audio footage using a variety of sofware, tools, and techniques such as crossfading, speed effects, and removing unwanted noises.plan act lightingplan act lightingLay out the lighting of your act. Work together with technicians to make sure the lighting of your act conforms with the artistic vision.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.maintain dimmer equipmentmaintain dimmer equipmentCheck and operate dimmer equipment. Take the appropriate steps if the equipment is defective, correcting the defect yourself or forwarding it to a specialised repair service.document your own practicedocument your own practiceDocumenting your own work practice for different purposes like assessment, time management, job application etc.maintain sound equipmentmaintain sound equipmentSet up, check, maintain and repair sound equipment for a live performance establishment.set up follow spotsset up follow spotsSet up and test follow spots in different types of locations.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.operate sound liveoperate sound liveOperate sound system and audio devices during rehearsals or in a live situation.store performance equipmentstore performance equipmentDismantle sound, light and video equipment after a performance event and store in a safe place.work safely with stage weaponswork safely with stage weaponsTake necessary precautions while preparing, transporting, storing, training and operating stage weapons (stabbing weapons, shooting weapons, etc).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.
scenery technician23 shared essential skillsintelligent lighting engineer21 shared essential skillsperformance lighting technician21 shared essential skillsaudio production technician20 shared essential skillslight board operator19 shared essential skillsstage machinist19 shared essential skillsvideo technician18 shared essential skillstheatre technician17 shared essential skills
Frequently asked questions
What does a stage technician do?
Stage technicians control different aspects of a performance based on the artistic or creative concept, in interaction with the performers. They prepare and perform the setup, program the equipment and operate various systems. Stage technicians take care of lighting, sound, video, sets and/or fly systems. Their work is based on plans, instructions and calculations. They can work in small venues, theatres and other small artistic productions.
What skills does a stage technician need?
A stage technician needs 48 essential skills, including work ergonomically, understand artistic concepts, draw stage layouts, plot lighting states, run a projection.
Will AI replace stage technician jobs?
The AI disruption score for stage technician is 21/100 (low risk). Skills most exposed to automation: keep personal administration, manage consumables stock, provide power distribution. Most resilient: dismantle the rehearsal set, work with respect for own safety, work safely with stage weapons.
AI Replacement Risk
21/ 100
Low Risk
Low riskHigh risk
Quick Facts
SectorArts & Entertainment
ISCO GroupLegal, social, cultural and related associate professionals
Essential Skills48
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