Stage Production

Technical Theatre Transfer (Major code: 315)
Nature of the Work Working Conditions Employment Training, Other Qualifications and Advancement What can I do with this major? Job Outlook Earnings Related Occupations Job Resource Links

Significant Points

• Opportunity to work with well-known artists.
• Wide range of salaries depending on location and size of theatre or production company.
• Long days with evening, weekend and holiday work may affect family and social life.
  

Nature of the Work

Stage production positions focus on one or more of these technical areas: stagecraft, lighting or sound. The introduction of computer technology has dramatically changed this occupation.

Stage Managers may supervise all backstage activities for live theater performances by:

• Coordinating production work.
• Supervising stage crew.
• Disseminating production information to cast, crew and director.
• Cueing lights fly system, sound effects and performers.
• Making sure props or scenery are in place and making emergency substitutions when they fail.
• Filling in to operate equipment during performance or helping with the stage setup.
• May keep employee time and function records.
• May instruct replacement performers.
• May call performers to stage before performance.

Lighting designers/technicians design and direct the operation of lighting in the theater. They may schedule and supervise the crew to perform the following tasks with safety in mind:

• Meet with directors, scenic designers, choreographers and producers to ascertain mood and emphasis of show through lighting techniques.
• Note requirements and possible problems.
• Design and draw plot showing kind and placement of lights.
• Direct crew to hang lighting.
• Program control console, make necessary changes and do final programming.
• Operate console during shows.
• Maintain equipment and supply inventory. May make emergency repairs when needed.
• Assist touring artists.

Sound designers/technicians design and direct the use of sound in the theater. They may schedule and supervise the crew to perform the following tasks with safety in mind:

• Meet with directors and other designers to reinforce voices and instruments in addition to creating atmosphere and mood through sound techniques.
• Design microphone and speaker placement.
• May operate sound console during show.
• May design and record sound effects.
• Maintain and repair sound equipment.
• Supervise a set up crew and backstage running crew.
• Run an efficient sound check to set sound levels for all microphones, speakers, amps and effects.
  

Working Conditions

Stage production technicians or supervisors work both on and off stage, in offices and control rooms. There is a high level of stress due to working with a wide range of artistic personalities and the need for smooth, on-time productions. There is some risk of injury from stage equipment or when dealing with crowds. Extensive travel may be required when employed by a touring company.

Employment

National and state employment figures are unavailable for this group of occupations. Stage managers, lighting and sound directors and stage production technicians are employed in a wide variety of settings such as theaters, the ballet, theme parks, touring companies, concert halls, opera houses, entertainment centers, hotels, cruise lines and outdoor dramas.

In Ohio, this is a very small occupation. About 530 set and exhibit designers work in the state and about 150 sound engineering technicians work in the state.

Clark State graduates of Stage Production Technology reported that they were employed at the following locations in the United States:

In order to advance, stage production technicians must accumulate many hours of on-the-job experience and assume duties with increasing responsibility. The need to stay current with the changes in technology is also critical to advancement. This is usually accomplished through vendor training and attending professional conferences.

Stage production majors can participate in cooperative education is a unique form of education, which shows you how to use classroom learning in the workplace. This combination of classroom study and related, paid and supervised on-the-job training prepares you to join the workforce after graduation. Internships are available in this major.

Learn about Clark State's Theatre Arts program.

What can I do with this major?

This information will help you connect your college major with various career fields. Choose either the PDF or HTML version to find an outline of common career areas, typical employers, and strategies designed to maximize your success in a career. Choose Links to find a list of websites that provide information regarding college majors and related careers.

Keep in mind that the information sheets and websites are representative of typical career paths associated with each major and not a comprehensive list. You may want to explore information and websites from multiple majors to help you learn about a wide range of career opportunities.

Disclaimer: Please note that the websites listed under Links are not maintained by the Career Center but are provided as a convenience to students.

Job Outlook

Technical job opportunities are growing faster than average due to the growth in the entertainment industry. Rising foreign demand for American productions, combined with a growing domestic market-fueled by the growth of cable television, satellite television, home movie rentals and television syndication-should stimulate demand for actors and other production personnel.

Growth of opportunities in recorded media should be accompanied by increasing jobs in live productions. Growing numbers of people who enjoy live theatrical entertainment for excitement and aesthetics will attend stage productions. Touring productions of Broadway plays and other large shows are providing new opportunities for technicians. However, employment may be somewhat affected by government funding for the arts-a decline in funding could dampen future employment growth.

In Ohio, the number of jobs for set and exhibit designers is expected to grow about as fast as average. About 18 job openings are expected each year. The number of jobs for sound engineering technicians is expected to grow more slowly than average. About five job openings are expected each year. Movie and stage grips belong to the larger group of "freight, stock, and material movers". The number of workers is expected to show little or no change. About 3,917 job openings are expected each year.

Earnings

The following salary ranges nationally are:

In Ohio, the median wage for set and exhibit designers is $3,060 per month ($17.68 per hour). Half of all set and exhibit designers earn between $2,430 and $4,080 per month ($14.02 and $23.54 per hour). The wages for set and exhibit designers in selected cities are given below:

In Ohio, movie and stage grips belong to the larger group of "laborers and freight, stock, and material movers". The median wage for "laborers and freight, stock, and material movers" is $1,800 per month ($10.37 per hour). Half of all "laborers and freight, stock, and material movers" earn between $1,460 and $2,280 per month ($8.42 and $13.17 per hour). The wages for "laborers and freight, stock, and material movers" in selected cities are given below:

In Ohio, the median wage for sound engineering technicians is $3,060 per month ($17.68 per hour). Half of all sound engineering technicians earn between $2,010 and $4,690 per month ($11.58 and $27.06 per hour). The median wage for sound engineering technicians in Cleveland is $2,930 per month ($16.88 per hour). Half of all sound engineering technicians earn between $1,560 and $4,190 per month ($8.98 and $24.19 per hour).

Related Occupations

Other theater-related occupations include set and exhibit designers, electrician, television, video, and motion picture camera operators and editors, actors, producers and directors, photographers, Broadcast and sound engineering technicians and radio operators, film studio mechanic, special effects coordinator, special events coordinator, theater producer, movie and stage grips, and grip manager.

Sources: 2006-2007 Occupational Handbook (http://www.bls.gov/oco/home.htm)
Clark State Graduate Placement Report
Ohio Career Information System (OCIS) Program

Job Resource Links - Go to the Local and National Job Bank page for more sites.

Artjob Online
BackStage Online
Entertainment Careers
First Frontier/Blue Jacket
Institute of Outdoor Drama
Music Theatre Louisville
PlayBill Online
Showbizjobs
StageBill
UK Theatre Web
Victoria Theatre
World Wide Arts Resources