stagehand

Backstage crew member

A stagehand is a person who works backstage in a theater, concert venue, or film set, handling scenery, props, lighting equipment, and other technical elements of a production.

Stagehands set up before performances, manage scene changes during shows, and strike the set afterward: The stagehands worked through the night to prepare for opening night.

backstage

crew

Working team aboard

technicianSkilled practical worker
riggerOne who handles tackle
dresserBedroom storage furniture

grip · gaffer · roadie · runner · callboy · props master · lighting technician · sound engineer · carpenter · electrician

equipment

rigging

Ropes controlling ship sails

sandbagWeighted sack for barriers
battenStrip for securing
pulleyGrooved wheel for rope

counterweight · winch · cable · rope · cleat · grid · catwalk · truss · gantry · dolly

tasks

striking

Noticeably impressive

presetConfigured before use
changeoverComplete shift between systems
blackoutComplete power loss

cue · load-in · load-out · setup · teardown · scene change · flying · masking · spiking · focusing

Categories

event staffevent planner, ticket taker, bouncer, ticket scanner, door staff
theater jobsactor, director, playwright, choreographer, costume designer
crew memberscaptain, deckhand, seaman, pilot, sailor
support roleshelper, assistant, aide, support staff, backup
job slangcop, doc, medic, cabbie, barista
theater crewtechnical director, production manager, master carpenter, rigger, deck crew

Opposites

visibility/role in performance

stagehandperformer

One who entertains audiences

actor · actress · star · headliner · lead

creative hierarchy

stagehanddirector

One who leads

artistic director · choreographer · playwright · composer · screenwriter

Family

Familiarity: Top 200,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G