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Stagehand Resume Samples
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6-10 years of experience
Promoted to lead technician within first few months
- Managed scheduling and coordinated request for equipment and services
- Trained over 30 crew members
- Worked well within budget and provided consistent product
- Implemented new system for organizing crew and data
6-10 years of experience
Seasonal Employment
- Lighting & Sound technician assistance, setting up speakers, subwoofers, lekos, steel trusts and motors
- Complimented by peers about my steady workflow and reliability
- Unpacking and loading trucks without damaging the goods and assisting in setting up the equipment
10+ years of experience
Stagehand/wardrobe
- Help with setting up equipment for stage
- Props – unload & reload trucks
- Wardrobe – help actors with getting dressed, quick changes behind stage
0-5 years of experience
- Assisted Audio Team in setting up WWE stage
- Set up barricades for the stage and audience seats
- Painted the podium and stairways to the stage all black
- Assisted Video set up broadcast screens for the interviewers
6-10 years of experience
Stagehand
- Truck Loader/Pusher
- Loading/Unloading Equipment
- Carpentry/Audio/Video/Props
- Rigging Equipment on Stage
0-5 years of experience
On dock & off dock Unloading & loading of transport trailers
- Assembly and disassembly of small to large stages & stage props
- Proper placement & installation of audio equipment, as well as sound checks
- Other basic carpentry and mechanic works
0-5 years of experience
- Rig and strike equipment for performances.
- Set and monitor levels for intended sonic atmosphere.
- Assist in other aspects of live performance production.
0-5 years of experience
- Repair work on guitars and basses, included both basic and Floyd Rose setups, cleaning, neck adjustments, minor electrical work such as swapping pickups, setting intonation and string height
- Worked as a sale associate and helped the customer find the exact instrument they were looking for. Provided them with all the information they needed, answered any questions the customer may have had, if I wasn’t sure, I would look it up to make sure I gave the customer correct information, and so they left with a new instrument or all the information to help them find the right one.
- During sound gigs I was responsible for being on the stage at all times making sure the gig ran smoothly, swapping out microphones, cables, or stands and addressing any problem that might arise quickly and efficiently. Also helped set up and tear down system and check it in between sets to make sure everything runs smoothly.
Stagehand Duties and Responsibilities
Although a stagehand’s daily duties and responsibilities vary depending on employer, there are a set of core tasks that are generally expected of those in the profession. Based on our review of job listings, these core tasks are:
Set Management One of the most common tasks of a stagehand involves managing the set. Depending who is performing — such as a theatre company or a band — the stagehand needs to know exactly what set equipment the performers need and where to place it on the stage. In between sets, the stagehand is responsible for making adjustments to the sets, as well as breaking down the equipment after the show.
Sound Assistance Although there may be sound technicians in charge of the sound, stagehands typically assist as needed. For example, they ensure that equipment is plugged into the correct sources, help set up monitors, and assist the sound manager with sound levels.
Lighting Assembling support structures, attaching lights, running electrical cords, and adjusting the lights as needed are all core tasks for a stagehand. Although large productions may have a lighting manager, for smaller productions, a stagehand may be solely responsible for the lighting.
Assisting Performers Performers may need assistance with receiving their costumes or changing into difficult costume pieces. They may also need stagehands to bring them special props or track down other items they need.
Signage Signage is an important part of any production, and a stagehand is often tasked with this responsibility. Stagehands hang banners, update marquees, and handle other signage within a venue.
Waste Removal As part of stage maintenance, the stagehand may need to remove any trash in waste containers as well as sweep the stage floor in between shows.
Stagehand Skills and Qualifications
Due to the wide scope of duties a stagehand performs, they need to be ready for anything. Employers also desire applicants who have the following abilities:
- Technical skills – technical skills related to lighting, computer presentations, and sound are all helpful for a stagehand to possess
- Planning skills – the ability to prioritize work activities, plan ahead for resource needs and develop realistic plans of action to accomplish set goals is key
- Physical Ability – while working as a stagehand, frequent standing, reaching, climbing, stooping, kneeling, and crawling will be required
- Construction skills – when assembling or disassembling a set, construction knowledge is helpful, such as the ability to understand how things are put together and what tools are needed
- Interpersonal skills – as with any job that requires hustle and accuracy, tensions can run high. Stage manners need tact and patience when communicating with others, as well as the ability to admit mistakes
- Dependability – because production schedules can change or run longer than expected, a stagehand needs to be willing to work more than his or her assigned hours, complete all assigned tasks, and notify the appropriate person if an alternate plan is needed
Stagehand Education and Training
At the very least, a high school diploma or equivalent is required to hold a stagehand position. Some employers, however, prefer a two-year or four-year degree. Additionally, some employers will require that stagehand applicants possess several years of tour and stage production experience to qualify for a position. People who take on volunteer stagehand roles at the high school or university level or work in general contracting roles can gain valuable experience for this career.
Stagehand Salary Information
PayScale lists the national median annual salary for a stagehand as $37,128, with a median hourly wage of $17.85. A stagehand in the 10th percentile earns approximately $21,444 a year (or $10.31 an hour), while the highest paid in the field make $69,097 a year ($33.22 hourly).
Stagehand Helpful Resources
Researching a career thoroughly before making the leap is the best strategy. We’ve done some of the legwork for you by providing the best industry resources for stagehands.
International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Moving Picture Technicians, Artists and Allied Crafts of the United States, Its Territories and Canada (IATSE) – the IATSE represents members in all behind-the-scenes areas of live theater, movie and TV productions, trade shows, concerts and equipment and construction stores.
National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians (NABET-CWA) – the NABET-CWA, which is a division of the Communications Workers of America, serves as a labor union. It represents approximately 12,000 employees who work in the areas of TV, radio, film, and media production.
Stagehand 101: A Comprehensive Guide – written by Kenny Barnwell, this guide provides everything you need to know to become a knowledgeable stagehand who can stand up to the competition when applying for jobs.
The Backstage Handbook: An Illustrated Almanac of Technical Information – written by Paul Carter, this book is full of reference information, formulas, and other technical facts that proves valuable to any aspiring stagehand.
Stage Rigging Handbook– author Jay O. Glerum describes each type of rigging, how it functions, and how to inspect it. This book is the go-to source for information about the operation and maintenance of stage-rigging equipment.