Working in a Theater Production

While some might say that working as a theatre technician is a career with little praise, that's usually reserved for those on the stage instead of those behind it, it can be one of the most exciting and fulfilling jobs out there. Working backstage in theatre can encompass everything from working the lights and sound to running full pyrotechnics and flying actors around the stage. It can be just as creative as someone who sells their art or designs the most innovative Toronto lofts.

It can be an artistic field, one where you can create whole worlds for the actors and audience to escape to. It can be a feat of engineering, using hydraulics to move set pieces that weigh hundreds of pounds on and off stage seamlessly. It can be like the work of a historical researcher - finding exactly what hats and women's pants looked like in a certain period. It can even be compared to the work of a god - a stage manager is frequently referred to as somewhere between a god and a babysitter to their actors and director.

This site seeks to tell you about everything that goes on behind the scenes of a theatre show, whether it be one on a stage on Broadway or down at your local community centre. And, we will try to help to bring the ideas of the big professional stages to those smaller low-budget productions. Whether you're working in New Yor, the West End or Toronto, there are different techniques that are used everyday to put on the top shows. Find out which elements are used throughout professional stages and which are an American or Canadian trade mark.

One rule of technicians is that you can have things that are both well done and cheap, but they take time. We will help you speed that process up by having all of the information you need to mount a fantastic show all in one location. You can make your production of The Secret Garden look like a perfect English garden or your performance of Grease complete with an auto dealer supply for the song Greased Lightning. We will also have more detailed and complex suggestions for companies with a little more experience and money to play with. New innovations are happening on stages all over the world every day. We want to bring those stories and experiences to you so that you can learn all there is out there about the wonderful art of stagecraft.

So, if you're interested in learning more about any of the areas of backstage, you will find what you need here. View articles on everything from lighting a show to the costumes and props that make the production look true to a certain era or location. It may not be that you get a round of applause at the end of the night, but it can be an amazing experience to see something you helped create come to life on the stage. wilbrulam