Where a stagehand can go next
5 destinations recorded, ranked by how much of the target role a stagehand already meets. The closer to the top of Table 1, the less there is to learn.
Stagehands assist stage technicians setting up and preparing equipment for live performance. Their work includes setting up the scenery, lights, sound, props, rigging, and special effects for a production.
Also known as loader & stage hand, stage hand & loader, runner, theater assistant, stage hand, assistant theatre technician, loader & stagehand, assistant technician, stagehand & loader, loader and stagehand, assistant stage technician, stage hand and loader.
Craft and related trades workers 32 skills on file 5 career moves 2 above 60% overlap Closest: tent installer, 68%
- 70% and above · short step
- 50 to 70% · real move
- Below 50% · substantial retraining
Table 2 · What the job itself asks for
A stagehand needs 17 required skills and areas of knowledge. These 10 are the ones fewest other jobs share, so they say the most about the work.
- assemble truss constructions constructing
- dismantle the rehearsal set handling and moving
- handle scenic elements during rehearsal communication, collaboration and creativity
- modify scenic elements during performance management skills
- assemble scenic elements on stage constructing
- assemble the rehearsal set constructing
- set up equipment in a timely manner handling and moving
- prepare personal work environment management skills
- work safely with mobile electrical systems under supervision working with machinery and specialised equipment
- prevent fire in a performance environment assisting and caring
Table 3 · Jobs that lead here
The reverse view: occupations whose skills already cover much of what a stagehand does. The figure is how much of this job each one brings.
- stage machinist 77% covered · difficulty 27
- automated fly bar operator 74% covered · difficulty 30.4
- prop master/prop mistress 72% covered · difficulty 31.6
- theatre technician 59% covered · difficulty 43.4
- followspot operator 56% covered · difficulty 48.3
- ground rigger 42% covered · difficulty 60.1
- high rigger 41% covered · difficulty 61.4
Look up another occupation
Stagehand is filed under Craft and related trades workers, ISCO major group 7. The full index lists all ten groups.
How these figures were compiled
Overlap is how much of the target role is already part of a stagehand’s work. It is directional: the figure for the reverse move differs. Every entry above opens the full comparison for that move: what carries over, what is missing, and where to start. The full method.