Job Title:
Casual Theatre Technician
Number Of Years Dedicated To This Field Of Work or Lifestyle:
15
Category Of Work:
Employment – Paid Work
Country / Area of Work:
United Kingdom
Industry:
Arts/Entertainment/Publishing
Type:
Employment
Key Skills For The Job:
Flexibility, organisation, reliability, “show must go on” attitude.
Vital Key Skill:
Common sense
Your Personal Experience Of Entering This Role:
No Prior Skills Or Experience.
Tips For Undertaking This Work:
If you are taken on as a “cassie” (casual as and when required basis) you will be at the bottom of the call list – perhaps number 8 to be called upon – but the more often you are called in and go, the higher up the list you will go, so you will become one of the first to be called once you prove you are reliable and able. Hence number one is always first to be called and gets most work.
Future Progression Or Developments:
Work your way up through whichever area interests you most – stage, flying, stage management, electrical, sound, lighting etc.
Long hours, hard work, listen watch and learn, and do as you are told before being asked!
What Are The ‘tools of the trade’ Used Daily:
Various power tools, hand tools, gaffer tape and gerbers!
A Typical Day’s Duties:
A typical day can start with unloading a wagon of all the show set, build the set, repair it, get it working, make tea, program lighting or sound, lay dance floor, set dressing rooms, or fly cues. Absolutely anything. You may also just be called in to follow spot a show or run the lighting or sound desk if you show an interest or aptitude for it. Or you may be moving life size cows on and off stage! Anything to make the magic happen.
Is Travelling A Regularly Part Of This Work:
No
Weekly Working Hours:
Full Time
Type Of Hours Arrangement:
Flexible Based On Employers Needs 
The Best Thing About The Work You Do:
The magic of theatre, making it happen. No one sees you, but without you the show would not happen. The rush of last minute problems, the comraderie of the stage crew and being part of a team. The variety – one day a ballet, the next a panto. One day lighting, the next flying cloths in and out or focussing lights.
Your Least Favorite Thing About The Work You Do:
The hours are very very long, You might be called for a wagon arriving at 6:00 a.m. you need to unload it as fast as possible, spend the day making it work, then after the show at perhaps 10:00 p.m. reload it all back into the lorry with the same enthusiasm and still be there at 2:00 a.m. doing so – only to be called for another show the next day! Dealing with some directors who are not organised is also often challenging!
Any Duties You Hadn’t Anticipated Prior To Undertaking The Work:
Anything theatre related comes with its own oddities, you have to be prepared to do anything and you probably will! Much of the role is solving problems before they happen.
The Top Perks Of The Work:
Working on a casual basis and variety as you may be follow spotting or pushing set around, flying or running the stage – anything goes! You can also work anywhere in the world.
Other Work In The Same Sector:
Lighting design, sound design, set design, stage management, wardrobe, deputy stage manager, company manager.
What Professional Organisations Are Associated With Your Work:
ABTT (The Association of British Theatre Technicians)
Additional Info You Wish To Share:
The industry is ever changing and evolving and you need to do the same. Keep up with technology and the day you think you know it all is the day you should stop.
There are few jobs and lots of applicants so make sure you stand out, and work to the best of your ability.
