Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

The information here is principally designed for drama teachers and schools (perhaps those without a dedicated support technician) and has been compiled from questions regularly asked to us and suggestions by our members. The answers are not intended to be definitive - they are based on comments and personal opinions from our members. This page is not regularly updated. For technical FAQ, try the Blue Room Wiki.

A revised 'FAQ' will hopefully appear here shortly, although the material is taking longer to compile than originally planned!

What does a School Technician do?

We are currently working on a sample job description, compiled from several of our members. It will hopefully be ready soon and posted here.

In brief, school technicians usually have to cover all aspects of theatre productions - lighting, sound, video, props, scenery, costumes, design, rigging, maintenance, etc...!

As well as managing the school's theatre space(s), and running the extra-curricula school productions, they often support the drama department with workshops, resources and guiding students through the technical options of GCSE and A-level drama, as well as technical support for examined performance work. There is regular maintenance and testing to be done in the theatre, as well as managing external lettings and the plethora of other school events which often takes place in the theatre such as exams, discos, concerts, assemblies, parents receptions and exhibitions.

Quite often, in a team of one, the technician also has other responsibilities around the school as well, such as IT or AV support.  A typical day can be filled with meetings, small events, drama lessons, fixing a broken toilet door, rigging lights for a performance, taking ticket bookings, organising the student 'backstage club', setting-up front-of-house, and running the evening show.

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I'd like to work in a school theatre - what qualifications do I need and where do I look for jobs?

There are lots of jobs in this area - particularly the independent school sector, but also increasingly in state schools which have specialist performing arts status.

To be honest, there is no formal requirement for anything in particular. Each school/college will determine it's own criteria. I think it's fair to say that most places will now expect a degree or similar qualification (not necessarily theatre-based), as we're talking about an academic institutions. Experience, enthusiasm and commitment will usually be more important.

It's a very rewarding job, but hours and expectations can be demanding - if you're lucky, this is offset by school holidays or higher salaries, but not always. Plus, you tend to be your own master - managing the theatre, specifying equipment, designing and producing every production, as well as having some input into teaching. Facilities are also generally good, with most schools now rushing to build/refurbish dedicated theatres on campus.

Quite a lot of school jobs are advertised on The Stage. We also occasionally features adverts here. (Most school jobs will be linked to term-time start dates, so will be advertised with this in mind.)

And don't forget, once you've got the job, join STSG!!

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I'd like to employ a technician for our school theatre - where should I advertise and what should I ask for?

Most technical theatre vacancies are advertised with The Stage newspaper and online, for a small fee. By setting-up a free account, you can also advertise online with Stage Jobs Pro or the Blue Room Technical Forums (We can post adverts for you on Blue Room if easier). Schools are also welcome to advertise to STSG-members and on this website by contacting us.

It is difficult to define a set criteria for what you should be looking for, as every school is different and has different facilities and aspirations. In general, a degree or similar qualification is desirable (not necessarily theatre-related), but experience, enthusiasm and commitment seem far more important. It also depends on the hours/duties required and the salary/benefits that you're offering.

We hope you will consider using the title "manager", rather than solely "technician", as we have found that some members are only valued in the same league as a science technician or classroom assistant, whereas in most cases a school theatre technician has many more duties and responsibilities. Contact us if you would like more advice.

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I'm planning a new school theatre - what should I include?

This is a massive subject!!

Infrastructure is important - lanterns and 'toys' can be hired and/or bought at a later date, whereas you can't easily hire a bigger power supply or extra hanging positions. You should install network points everywhere, and leave cable-runs accessible and only half full to allow for future expansion. Other things to consider include student access to height (e.g. tension wire grid, walkways or other safe access method); suitable foyer space and facilities for audiences; plenty of storage space and backstage space; is the theatre to be used for commercial/outside lettings or just internal productions?; is the theatre to also house the drama department?; etc...!

The auditorium and stage spaces are the most difficult, as it's very easy to get 'stuck' in the way you currently stage shows, whether that be 'end-on' or in a traditional proscenium-arch setting. Thinking beyond your current requirements and flexibility is the key, but can be expensive, so often the final layout is a compromise. It is essential to take specialist advice about seating arrangements, acoustics and safety requirements - otherwise you can easily finish with a bad compromise!

The layout of the whole building also needs careful consideration. Doorways and lifts may need to be larger than usual for scenery and staging to be moved around. The stage floor may need to be stronger to cope with motorised access equipment. Hanging points need to be provided over the stage and the auditorium. You must consider how different users will need to access the building. For example, can an external hirer access the auditorium, stage, dressing rooms and foyer without affecting drama lessons or evening rehearsals elsewhere? Will noise from a dance studio affect quiet lessons somewhere nearby?  Exams will need very bright lighting, whereas a theatre auditorium needs to be much more subtle. Also think about how future users may want things in 10, 20 or even 50 years time - the building is not just for you!

Your architect will (hopefully) give you lots of advice, although not necessarily impartially of course. You may consider using a specialist theatre consultant, although they can be a mixed blessing! In general, I would advise the use of a specialist consultant from as early as possible in the project - ideally alongside the architect appointment.

Most theatrical suppliers will also happily offer you advice and visit you, on the basis that they can quote for the installation. Quite a few STSG-members have recently had (or are about to have) new-builds or refurbishments, so there are those here who can offer further advice as well.

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I have a non-specialist technician/caretaker / new technician, and he/she would like to do some training -

what do you suggest?

There is no formal overall H&S qualification available, but many schools now require all staff to be suitably 'trained' in areas such as working-at-height, manual handling/lifting, electrical testing (PAT), and other general practices which come into everyday theatre work. Usually this is principally about obtaining a piece of paper saying you're "qualified", although it is definitely worthwhile covering the basics at least - e.g. a scaffolding tower/ladder course (whatever is appropriate for your means of access), an electrical safety & PAT testing course, and perhaps a fire safety/Fire Marshal course.

We occasionally offer specialist training days, such as pyrotechnics or using scaffolding towers (see the Training page for more details) - feel free to contact us if you have a specific need. However, for a good introduction and to cover the safety basics, we suggest joining the Association of British Theatre Technicians (ABTT), which costs £45 per year. They run regular training days around the country, covering various aspects of technical theatre, plus week-long 'schools' where technicians can progress towards various awards. For example, the 'bronze' summer school, usually held near Coventry, covers electrical basics, portable appliance testing, ropes and knots for rigging, flying, and manual handling (costs approx. £500).

Companies such as Stage Electrics also offer regular training courses, covering topics such as electricity at work, working at height regulations, use of ladders, etc. There are also many generic H&S consultants out there (such as Instant Training) who can provide training for things like working at height, fire safety, etc, although these will not be specifically tailored to theatre work. For scaffolding/ladder courses, look out for courses validated by PASMA or the Ladder Association.

Finally, the STSG network can always help with support and advice if needed.

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What sort of jobs might I expect to be doing beyond my job title?

This really depends on you/your attitude, your contract, and the expectations/working environment of the job. Most school technicians have to be multi-skilled and multi-tasking, meaning that one minute you could be building a set, the next you could be teaching lighting to students, and the next you could be sorting out a problem front-of-house. Clearing up, moving stuff, building maintenance and general care-taking duties are also quite common.

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What are acceptable working hours within an educational establishment?

As with any job, the Working Time Directive states the maximum hours you are allowed to work over a given period, unless you formally opt-out. Theatre jobs tend to involve long and anti-social hours, and if you're a lone technician in a school theatre, this is often the case - however, usually compensated by long school holidays or higher pay. If you have any doubts, it is best to discuss it with your Personnel Manager or Bursar. You could also consider joining a union - Unison is popular in schools - seek advice from the other non-teaching staff.

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Can my students work at height?

In short, there is no fixed answer. Different schools operate different policies. One school may ban all students from leaving the floor, whereas another may allow students to run the theatre more-or-less unsupervised! There are two primary things to check/do. Firstly, insurance - does your school's insurance cover students being up ladders? Two, do a risk assessment. Personally-speaking, there are some students I trust to climb a ladder, and there are those that I don't (not necessarily based on age), but think about what would happen if a student did fall - have you done everything to prevent/minimise the risk? If a student became 'stuck' up a ladder, do you have the rescue skills to get them down safely?

If you're building or refurbishing a theatre, then the best thing to do is remove the risk as much as possible - by installing a Tension Wire Grid or lighting gantries, for example, and/or can the lighting bars be installed on motorised winches to lower to the floor? Obviously if you have a venue where this isn't possible then you're stuck with ladders or a scaffold tower - but can you still remove the risk? Can students be taught rigging and focusing at ground level with some lanterns on a stand perhaps? Should you limit working at height to older pupils only? Can you instigate a training session where you can teach and assess the pupils to safely work at height?

------ Update ------

Having done an official training course on towers, I would find it very difficult to justify allowing any students (under-18s) to climb towers/ladders. Legally-speaking, the students are minors until 18, and therefore cannot be regarded as competent, whatever the other mitigating factors may be (this covers more than just working at height). The 'official' line is, therefore, students should not work at height using any form of access equipment, such as ladders, towers, scaffolding, platforms or lifts, but the use of bridges (if suitable) or tension-wire-grids are acceptable, provided a risk assessment and control policy is in place.

Having said that, if you are looking for a good means of access, take a look at the 'Esca' Mobile Working Platform - which, as far as I'm aware, is the only piece of non-motorised access equipment that specifically allows the operator to remain at the top of the platform whilst it is moved. Scaffold towers and even Tallescopes cannot (officially) be moved whilst in use, causing unnecessary fatigue to the operator who has to climb up and down repeatedly between movements.

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Disclaimer:- The comments published here are not necessarily the views or opinions of the STSG, nor any associated school or organisation. No warranty is implied or given concerning the accuracy of any information posted here. The STSG cannot accept responsibility for any inaccuracy, nor for any loss, damage or injury arising from any interpretation of the information given.