Stagehands do the manual labor of loading and unloading trucks full of gear, moving it in and out of the venue, and assisting with the set-up and tear-down of the stage and the equipment used in concerts, theater productions, theme parks, sports events, and even film and TV productions.

Usually, stagehands are local workers, often in a labor union. If they’re part of a road crew for a touring production, in which case they’d be called roadies or touring concert professionals.

But make no mistake, stagehands are the workhorses of the music business.

In order for a show to go on, many people must labor backstage and in the hall, out of the eye of the audience.

Without stagehands, there could be no concerts or shows. They are usually the first to arrive and the last to leave. They work long hours and live by the mantra “the show must go on.”

Though stagehands are not visible to the audience, everyone in the production depends on them.

Stagehands are the unsung heroes of the entertainment industry. But what exactly do they do?

Here are some of their main responsibilities:

• Unload and load gear (“loaders” unload from the truck, “pushers” take the equipment from the truck to the stage)
• Work in a tightly coordinated team involving the crew chief, stage manager, engineer, set designer, and/or tour manager
• They support specialists like riggers, sound and lighting technicians, instrument technicians, stage managers, and producers
• Help build the stage and set
• Help lay cables
• Light carpentry or painting

As a stagehand, you have to be able to follow instructions while working in teams under pressure in a fast-paced environment.

You’re expected to think on your feet and sometimes need to find creative solutions to technical problems.

And you must be especially mindful of safety, as the stage has the potential for danger and injury, and accidents can and do happen around stages and show rigging.

Stagehands should be enthusiastic about live performance and be able to work well in a team under pressure. They should be able to follow instructions meticulously and think on their feet.

More specifically, here are the main skills you should focus on…

Standing up without sitting for long periods, lifting heavy objects, pushing large road cases, pulling on curtain ropes, climbing into rigging, unrolling, rolling, and gaffing cables, and moving quickly in tight spaces requires physical strength and endurance.

It’s crucial to be able to follow instructions closely while keeping everyone safe in a potentially hazardous environment. Stagehands must maintain a sharp focus on safety to minimize danger and avoid hazardous situations for everyone.

Since technology is always changing, stagehands must also be able to learn new techniques and absorb new information quickly, and they must be able to carefully follow directions from supervisors.

A stagehand must have solid people skills and be able to deal with different personalities and egos. You’ll be working in a team, so you must be a team player.

You can also specialize in specific areas, like:

• Sound systems
• Lighting
• Staging
• Carpentry and painting
• Audio engineering and mix placement
• Instrument technician

For stagehands, no two days are the same. Every show, every venue, and every artist brings different challenges.

Working on a crew also involves some long hours, working to tear down and load up equipment long after the attendees have left and the performers are safely back in their hotel rooms. It’s a demanding job.

So it’s understandable that nerves can get frayed backstage. Most successful stagehands have a good sense of humor and know not to take themselves or others too seriously.

At some point, something always goes wrong and it’s up to everyone on the crew to pitch in and correct course. This means stagehands must keep a cool head and think creatively under pressure.

It’s not always like this, but it does happen, so being ready for the unexpected is part of the job.

Here are some things that might happen on a typical job:

• Crew shows up early, hours or days before showtime
• Load in and set up equipment
• Run a sound check
• Food is provided
• Briefing with the stage manager about assignments
• Stage manager watches over the entire stage area and instructs the crew as needed
• After the show, tear down equipment (wrap cables, store microphones, put amps into their cases, etc.)
• Load equipment back onto trucks

Stagehands take pride in working hard to make the show happen, every time. It’s a rewarding job with the thrill of seeing performers and audiences enjoying themselves.

Stagehands work on a variety of productions, including:

• Concerts
• Broadway shows
• Conventions
• Rallies
• Amusement parks
• Sporting events
• Symphony halls
• Music venues
• Theaters
• Film and TV studios
• Cruise ships
• Equipment rental companies

Some places will hire stagehands as regular employees, while many stagehands are self-employed and find work through networking and connections.

Many big-city venues employ stagehands that are part of a union, the largest one being the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) founded in 1893.

The IATSE has a long and storied history of fighting to protect the rights of stagehands to improve their pay and working conditions.

While not everyone is a fan of unions (especially management, because of higher costs), there is no denying that for their members, they ensure better pay and benefits. They also provide training and other resources for entertainment industry workers.

IATSE also represents other categories of workers in show business besides stagehands, like:

• Front-of-house workers
• Wardrobe attendants
• Hair and makeup artists
• Motion picture and television production technicians
• Broadcast technicians
• Scenic artists
• Designers
• Animators
• Audiovisual technicians

Starting out as a stagehand does not typically require a college degree or special training or skills.

Most stagehands will receive initial training for the job that could last anywhere from 3 weeks to several months.

You can also get a stagehand certification to help you start your career.

It’s a great entry-level job for someone getting into the concert or theater business who wants to work hard.

Stagehand positions are posted to job boards and on company websites.

You can also sign up for a job agent online which will automatically send you notices of openings in your area from the boards.

Applying for stagehand jobs is no different than applying for any position.

Here are some tips to help you prepare:

• Have a basic resume and cover letter
• Try to meet with the stage manager or venue manager
• Be ready to talk about why you would be a good fit for the job
• Show enthusiasm for the role
• Make a professional impression with your clothes, handshake, eye contact, and attitude

There’s an old saying: if you hang around the barbershop, eventually you’ll get a haircut. Sometimes just being on the scene will get you first shot at an opening, maybe by filling in as a sub for someone who is sick.

One good way to start your career is to just hang around a venue and meet the people working there so you will get the first notice of any openings.

Many job openings never get posted because someone was waiting in the wings ready to work the minute there was an opening. Making friends with other stagehands is a good way to network.

You could also team up with a local band to help with their live gigs. The best kind of learning is on the job, and it never hurts to have lots of friends in the business.