How do you get into doing technical stuff for theatre?

Question

Currently i'm 17 and at school for another year then i hope to go and do a chemistry degree. But at school one thing I've loved doing is lighting and any other technical stuff for school plays, I do theatre studies as an A-Level and love the theatre despite being a scientist. Hopefully at uni I can do plenty of this kind of thing for uni productions. But how do you get into this job for real? Also what is it like doing this sort of work?

Answer 1

As a production manager of a theatre I would say get some training. Doing casual work at a theatre is o.k. to get experience but you won't get a job unless you have trained in technical theatre or stage management.
Places like R.A.D.A., Central, The Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, L.I.P.A.
Most of these and others do Degrees or H.N.D.s

http://www.britisharts.co.uk/theatre.htm

It's hard work and the money's not great but if you're enthusiastic and friendly it's a fantastic way to make a living.

Answer 2

OK I'm guessing your in the UK if your talking about A-Levels. I know that Watford Palace Theatre run open days and workshops for those interested in technical elements of theatre. Unfortunately I doubt you will get much opportunity to help out with productions, other than Am-Dram productions at uni, unless you are taking a Performing Arts/ Technical Theatre Degree. If you are serious about becoming a techie as a career then I think a Degree to learn your trade is probably your best option try somewhere like LIPA for more info.

Answer 3

Just jump right in. There generally is not a throng of people lining up at the theatre waiting to do technical work. Most theatres are grateful for willing, competent, enthusiastic helpers.

Don't lie to a theatre about what you can do however. If have electrical experience, tell 'em. If you can't do rigging, don't lie and say you can. They'll always find out in the end, and then you'll look silly.

While you're there, observe as many other people as you can. Try to learn some new skills. Make yourself as marketable as possible. In the costume shop where I work, we love to have employees who bring handy skills and new techniques.

Be on time for work calls, manage your work efficiently and stay enthusiastic, and you'll do fine!

Answer 4

There are several ways to do this... to do it in the UK the best way to do it is to go to college.

The entry level for someone at post A level is the FDEG degree which is Theatre Stage Management course basically. However during this course you will be able to find your favourite job to do IE lighting, sound, stage management etc. I would recommend looking into going somewhere such as Northbrook in Sussex where they have a fully functional professional theatre and excellent links to local theatres in Worthing and Brighton. Or you could go to Rose Bruford in Kent which is fantastic for lighting.

I have done the Actors and Directors pathway of the FDEG degree and worked in close conjunction with the technical students and this is the best course you can do.

Answer 5

Given your spelling of 'theatre' I'm assuming you are in the UK.
What about events at the university?
From wiring a plug to programming the board, it might all be there at music nights.
Does the Uni do drama?
Offer your services as a stage-hand, anything where you can learn different areas of the theatre business.
I know trained and untrained people in this line of work, some are full-time, some maybe do a bit of rigging and a follow-spot for visiting acts.
Buy some black clothes is my main advice to you.

Answer 6

When you get to college, you can always minor in theater. If you're interested, there's a website called backstagejobs.com that has listings for technical work only, so you won't have to sift through all the acting jobs. It's been a great resource for me.

And if the question is which city is best for theater, I'd like to make an arguement for Chicago. NYC may have Broadway, but Chicago has hundreds of storefront theaters, and often shows that end up on Broadway run in Chicago first. Also, the union is not a necessity in Chicago theater.

Answer 7

An old friend of mine works for a lighting company called Pegasus. They do lighting for all sorts of things. He began by doing theatrical lighting. Now he travels with political campaigns (i.e. he went around lighting President Bushes campaigns in 2004). He's also done parties and bah mitzvahs and things of the sort. There are SO many different things you can do that sort of thing for. I don't know if lighting is the sort of technical thing you're talking about, but it's just an idea for ya. Also, connections. When you go to college, try to meet people that will be going into the field. It's all about who you know, really. I know it's sad, but it's true. Network as much as possible!

Answer 8

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Answer 9

Show up at a theatre shop whle they're getting ready for a show and ask if they need help.

Of course this works best in Community Theatre or Educational Theatre. But that is where you need to start if you're going to try to get into a professional house.

Answer 10

You do a degree in Theatre studies. While doing it you get some work experience in a theatre.