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Lighting designers, set designers and stagehands are people you find behind the scenes in the theatre industry.
The lighting designer will read the script carefully and attempt to choose lighting that conveys the message of the director. The LD must take into account the show's mood and the director's vision in creating a lighting design.
The set or scenic designer is responsible for collaborating with the director and other members of the production design team to create an environment for the production. Set designers are responsible for creating scale models of the scenery, renderings, paint elevations and scale construction drawings as part of their communication with other production staff.
A stagehand is a person whose duties include setting up the scenery, lights, sound, props, rigging and special effects for a production.
How long will it take?
People who work behind the scenes in theatre usually have formal training--through theatre programs at community colleges and universities. Many professionals continue post-grad work by earning a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree. Most also gain experience through high school and college plays, and work with local community theater groups.
How much will you earn?
Expect to make less than $25,000 yearly when you start. Gaining experience and working up to large productions means salary gains as well.
NOTE: Minimum salaries, hours of work and other conditions of employment are often covered in collective bargaining agreements between the producers and the unions representing workers.
Where can you work?
Theatre crew members typically work in small productions before working their way to larger productions in larger cities. Employment in the theater is cyclical—higher in the fall and spring seasons—and concentrated in New York and other major cities with large commercial houses for musicals and touring productions.
AC can help you get there!
