Lighting technician

Lighting technicians set up and operate lighting for concerts, conferences and theatre, or in film and TV productions. Operating lighting systems usually takes place from behind a lighting console. Work may be permanent or freelance.

Also known as:

• Stage electrician
• Theatre lighting technician

Work activities

Lighting technicians are responsible for preparing, wiring, operating and maintaining lighting systems and electrical effects. Although they are sometimes known as theatre or stage electricians, they do not have to be qualified electricians. Lighting technicians work closely with lighting designers. Lighting designers decide where the lights are to be placed and plot their position on a lighting plan. Using this plan, the technicians fit the lights and focus them. If required, they place coloured filters in front of the lights.

During rehearsals, lighting technicians help lighting designers create special lighting effects. Once performances are underway, they check that the lights are working properly and are correctly maintained. They operate lights from the lighting desk. They also operate dry-ice or smoke effects, if necessary. Lighting desks are mostly computerised, so technicians need to know how to program them. Lighting technicians are also responsible for cleaning, maintaining and repairing equipment.

While on tour, technicians stay in temporary accommodation and may spend weeks away from home. In touring productions, lighting technicians set up the equipment and test it. The equipment will usually need to be taken down after a short period, sometimes after only one night. In such cases, the technician is likely to be involved in loading and unloading the equipment. In some - especially smaller - venues, technicians are responsible for both sound and lighting.

Personal qualities and skills

As a lighting technician, you need:

• A technical knowledge of electricity and electronics.
• Knowledge of the capabilities of different types of lighting equipment.
• To pay attention to detail and understand health and safety requirements.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills.
• To work well in a team and on your own.
• To be well organised and good under pressure.
• The ability to react quickly and creatively to any problems that arise.
• To be able to work unsocial hours.
• Patience, concentration and focus.

Future skills needs have been identified for this industry. These are:

• Creative skills, in areas of growth such as street arts.
• Technical skills.
• Leadership and management skills.
• Education and community development skills.
• Fund-raising skills.

Pay and opportunities 

Salaries for lighting technicians vary depending on the area they work in, their role and responsibility and whether they are employed or self-employed. The pay rates given are approximate. Lighting technicians earn in the range of £15,000 per year, rising to £40,000 with experience.

Lighting technicians usually work a basic 42-44-hour week. However, early starts, late finishes, weekend work and working on public holidays may all be required.

Arts organisations such as theatres have faced financial cuts due to the economic recession; this is likely to have an impact on recruitment.

Opportunities for lighting technicians occur at venues in towns and cities throughout the UK and abroad, and in major theatre production centres such as London, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds and Edinburgh. Employers are theatre companies: in touring theatre, provincial theatre and London’s West End. Other employers include event and exhibition promoters (both indoor and outdoor). Opportunities occur for lighting technicians to work abroad in touring productions.

Opportunities occur for lighting technicians to work on a self-employed, freelance basis.

Where are vacancies advertised?

Vacancies are advertised in local/national newspapers, in industry publications such as The Stage (weekly and online), on job boards, on employers’ websites and on the Government’s Find a Job website.

Entry routes and training 

New entrants come into this career from different backgrounds, increasingly with a relevant qualification. You might start out as a lighting technician assistant.

A limited number of HNCs/HNDs, foundation degrees and degrees are available in technical theatre. There are also a number of lower-level qualifications in technical theatre. Courses in lighting design are also available. Some highly motivated people, who have an aptitude for this sort of work, can be successful without following a recognised training course. With or without a technical qualification, you will benefit from gaining experience in amateur theatre.

The traditional entry to technician work with pop/rock groups is to start as a “roadie”, moving the equipment from vans into the venue and loading up again after the show. This experience may lead to acting as assistant to the technical roadie and gaining enough experience to move on. Specialist companies who hire lighting equipment and staff occasionally have runner or general assistant vacancies or recruit electronics/maintenance technicians.

Some trainee technician posts are available. These posts combine on-the-job training with study for work-based qualifications. The Association of British Theatre Technicians runs relevant training courses for members.

A number of level 3 (advanced) apprenticeships are also available:

• Creative industries production technician
• Creative venue technician
• Live event technician

On an apprenticeship, you will carry out most of your training on the job, while working towards relevant qualifications.

Experienced lighting technicians can progress to lighting design work. It is also possible to move into technical management roles.

Qualifications

Entry may be possible without formal training and qualifications. However, you must have an aptitude for technical work and show that you have an active interest in the theatre or performance art. Useful subjects for this career include engineering, applied ICT, physics, maths and media studies.

If you wish to enter this career through an advanced apprenticeship, you will need GCSEs in English and maths, although you may be able to complete these alongside your programme.

Adult opportunities

Age limits: It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Late entrants are often qualified and/or have skills and abilities gained in a related field, for example, as an electrician. Experience as a junior technician, or stagehand, in local theatre is useful. A previous background as a “gofer” or runner, in theatre or the broadcast media, is useful. Working as a “roadie” in the music industry is also a useful entry route into technician work.

Some colleges relax entry requirements for applicants with relevant experience.

Related careers

• Electrical engineering technician
• Electrician
• Theatre sound technician
• Theatre stagehand
• Theatre/television designer
• Video producer