Is A Theatre Electrician A Good Job?

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Have you ever wondered who sets up all of the lightings during intervals at the theatre?

Is being a theatre electrician a dangerous job?

Electricians and riggers set up the lights in a theatre; not all lighting is accessed for climbing 10 meters in the air; many can be lowered on a gantry. Electricians face some inherent risks, such as electrocution, but they are more likely to suffer injuries from falls.

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What does a theatre electrician do?

It depends if the theatre has continuous shows of all sorts, then the electrician will be responsible for lighting and audio in the theatre.

They may also need to be a general all-around electrician who can fix any electrical problem in the theatre as needed. The show must go on!

If you consider most theatre productions quite complicated, the electrician will attend technical production meetings and interpret what is needed and when it’s needed.

If you consider it’s not just a case of flipping the light and having a good time during a show. The stage lighting sets the ambience for the scene, with subtle lighting changes being made all of the time.

It’s not the electrician’s role to make the lighting changes through a control board, but it is the electrician’s responsibility to make sure the lights are wired and connected to the control console.

What sort of education would a touring theatre electrician have?

Electricians need to have a good primary education and usually require a minimum of 5GCSEs that include maths and English with grades not less than a C.

In some cases, theatre is quite demanding on an electrician’s educational requirements, and some try to stipulate you should have an MFA (master of fine arts).

However, a bachelor’s degree in technical theatre or other related areas should suffice.

Can a standard electrician work in the theatre?

It is possible if you can demonstrate your passion for that type of work and you can impress the interview panel.

Theatre management prefers a degreed electrician because they will have been trained in crew management and scheduling and inventory management.

You will also need to have a foundation in video systems operations, electrical and audio, and video wiring, just to mention a few of the required skills.

What qualifications do I need to be a lighting technician?

You’ll need to have:

A good technical foundation with knowledge of lighting techniques.
You will need to be good with your hands and have dexterity together with a good level of fitness and stamina.
It’s a theatre where you must be able to work under pressure and meet strict deadlines and milestones.
You will need good time management skills and be an organised person.
You will be a team player who understands the importance of teamwork.
You must be able to communicate clearly and effectively.
Attention to fine detail is a must for lighting technicians and electricians.
It’s the theatre bay. You must have that creative flair to do the job well.

You will also need a good education and be educated to a degree standard in a relevant field.

What are 5 things electricians do in a theatre?

Electricians have a lot of responsibilities in a theatre and have a lot more than just 5 things to worry about.

Here are 5 things an electrician will do in a theatre setting.

Read blueprints and drawings, schematics of the general layout and design of the lighting systems, audio systems and video wiring.
Install the wiring for all the theatre needs during a performance and run breakdown crews for dismantling.
Ensure the wiring systems are safe to use by running safety checks of all circuits, transformers and circuit breakers.
Inspect equipment for faults and damage and make repairs as required.
Troubleshoot problems using a variety of test equipment and techniques.

Why are gaffers called gaffers?

It’s a term that most of you may have come across from time to time and is still used in the theatre to denote a supervisor or line manager.

The name’s origins are loosely connected to the electrical trade after the electricians and riggers had installed the lighting on Hollywood sets.

The manager of the unit or set would call his second in command to get the “gaf” which was a long pole with a hook on the end that could be used for adjusting the lighting.

Actually, a “gaf” was used by fishermen to hook into the gills of a large fish before landing on the ship!

What is the difference between a lighting designer and a master electrician?

The lighting designer will conder the illumination for each scene from bright to subdued lighting as the scene requires.

The lighting designer calls the focus, as they say.

The master electrician is responsible for making sure everything is working as it should and that all electrical items are functioning as required.

How do I become a master electrician in the UK?

It’s a long process and can only be achieved after years of practical experience and knowledge.

The electrician must have amassed many hands-on hours in the electrical industry and will know how to find fault instantly from his knowledge.

You must have all the valid qualifications and licences that a contractor should possess.