Welcome to the Essential Stage Hand Course

Chapter 1: The World of Live Event Production

Lesson 1: The Spectrum of Live Events

Live event production is a vast industry that brings performances and experiences to live audiences. As a stagehand, you are the versatile backbone of this industry, and your skills will be applied across a wide spectrum of events. Understanding the nuances of each type is crucial for adapting your approach and anticipating needs.

Concerts & Theatre

Concerts focus on the auditory and visual experience, prioritizing high-quality audio, dynamic lighting, and robust staging. Theatre productions, conversely, emphasize detailed scenic elements, precise lighting for dramatic effect, and nuanced sound design. In theatre, you may be referred to as "stage crew," responsible for set changes and prop management.

Corporate Events & Festivals

Corporate events demand a high level of polish and professionalism. Your work will focus on creating a clean, branded environment with clear audio for presentations. Festivals are a test of logistics and endurance, often involving multiple stages, rapid changeovers, and adaptation to outdoor conditions.

Chapter 1: The World of Live Event Production

Lesson 2: The Production Lifecycle

Every event, from a small conference to a stadium tour, follows a distinct lifecycle. Understanding each phase provides valuable context for your role and helps you see how your work contributes to the bigger picture.

• Pre-Production: The planning phase. Technical designs, schedules, and budgets are created.
• Load-In: The physical work begins. Equipment arrives and is distributed throughout the venue. This is a primary, labor-intensive phase for stagehands.
• Setup: Departments build their respective systems. You will assist technicians with assembling truss, hanging lights, running cable, etc.
• Show Time: The live event itself. The focus is on flawless execution of rehearsed cues.
• Load-Out (Strike): Dismantling, packing, and loading all equipment back onto trucks. It is often faster and more physically demanding than load-in.
• Post-Production: The final wrap-up, including equipment inventory, damage reports, and financial reconciliation.

Chapter 1: The World of Live Event Production

Lesson 3: Key Departments & Interdependencies

A production is a highly collaborative machine with many moving parts. As a stagehand, you will support multiple departments, so understanding their roles and how they interact is vital.

The Core Technical Departments

• Audio: Responsible for everything the audience hears.
• Lighting: Illuminates the stage, creates mood, and directs focus.
• Video: Manages all visual content on screens (IMAG).
• Staging: Provides the physical platform—the stage, risers, etc.
• Rigging: Safely suspends all equipment. Safety is their absolute priority.
• Backline: Manages the musical instruments and equipment.

Chapter 2: The Professional Stage Hand

Lesson 1: Core Responsibilities

While specific tasks vary, several core responsibilities define the stagehand role. Mastery of these fundamentals is the bedrock of a successful career. Your primary function is to be the skilled labor force that makes the production happen.

General Duties: Versatility as a Virtue

A great stagehand has a "whatever it takes" mentality. Your duties will always include:

• Loading and Unloading: The most fundamental task. You'll move equipment from trucks to the venue and back.
• Cable Management: Running, securing ("taping" or "ramping"), and coiling thousands of feet of cable. This is a constant and critical task known as "cable wrangling."
• Basic Assembly: Assisting with building stages, risers, trussing, and scaffolding under the guidance of leads.
• General Assistance: Providing an extra pair of hands to any department that needs it.

Chapter 2: The Professional Stage Hand

Lesson 2: Essential Skills & Safety

Beyond physical tasks, certain skills and a commitment to safety separate an adequate stagehand from an exceptional one. You are entrusted with expensive equipment and the well-being of your crewmates.

Essential Skill Sets

• Technical Aptitude: A willingness to learn how things work.
• Physical Stamina: The ability to handle long, demanding days.
• Problem-Solving: The ability to think on your feet and adapt.
• Communication & Teamwork: Working effectively as part of a team.
• Attention to Detail: Precision in all tasks, from assembly to cleanup.

Chapter 2: The Professional Stage Hand

Lesson 3: Common Specializations

While a general stagehand is a jack-of-all-trades, many individuals develop expertise in specific areas. This can lead to more specialized calls and higher pay rates.

• Audio Utility / A2: Supports the audio department (A1).
• Lighting Technician Assistant / LX Assist: Supports the lighting department (LD).
• Video Utility / V2: Supports the video department (V1).
• Stage Carpenter / Deck Hand: Deals with physical structures and scenic elements.
• Rigger (Ground): Assists certified riggers with rigging equipment. This is a highly safety-critical role.

Chapter 3: On-Site Communication

Lesson 1: The Production Hierarchy

Understanding the roles and responsibilities of the individuals you'll be working with is crucial for knowing who to report to and how decisions are made. This structure ensures efficiency and safety on site.

• Production Manager (PM): The head of the technical and logistical side. The ultimate authority on production matters.
• Stage Manager (SM): Responsible for the smooth running of the show itself. They call all the cues.
• Department Heads (A1, LD, V1, etc.): The lead technician for their specific area.
• Crew Chief / Lead Hand: Your direct supervisor on a call.

Chapter 3: On-Site Communication

Lesson 2: Effective Communication Protocols

Clear, concise, and professional communication is essential on a busy production site. This involves verbal, non-verbal, and radio communication.

Active Listening & Confirmation

Focus entirely on the speaker and acknowledge you understand. For critical instructions, especially involving safety, repeat the instruction back to confirm your understanding (a "read-back").

Chapter 3: On-Site Communication

Lesson 3: Professional Radio Etiquette

Radios are a vital tool, and using them correctly is a mark of professionalism. "Mic Discipline" is essential for clear and efficient communication.

The Golden Rules of Radio Use:

• Identify & Address: Always state who you are calling, then who you are. (e.g., "Lighting, this is Dave on deck.") Wait for their response ("Go for Lighting") before continuing.
• Be Brief and Clear: Think before you speak. Keep transmissions short.
• Use Standard Lingo: "Copy" (understood), "Standby" (I'm busy, wait), "Go for [Name]" (I'm ready to listen).
• Avoid Chatter: Never use the radio for casual conversations or non-essential information.

Chapter 4: Professionalism & Ethics

Lesson 1: The SITNS Music Standard

Technical skill alone is not enough. As a representative of SITNS Music, you are an ambassador for our company. Our reputation is built on four key pillars of professional conduct.

• Punctuality: "On time is late, early is on time." Arrive 15 minutes before your call time, ready to work.
• Reliability: Your team depends on you. Fulfill your commitments. A "no-call, no-show" is unacceptable.
• Proactivity: Anticipate needs. Don't just wait to be told what to do.
• Positive Attitude: A can-do attitude is infectious and lifts the morale of the entire crew.

Chapter 4: Professionalism & Ethics

Lesson 2: Professional Appearance & Attire

Your appearance reflects on you, on SITNS Music, and on the production itself. Adhering to professional dress standards is a basic requirement.

"Show Blacks"

This is the industry standard: clean, unbranded black clothing (t-shirt, work pants). The goal is to be unobtrusive and blend into the background. Clothing should be in good condition, free of rips or offensive logos/graphics.

Chapter 4: Professionalism & Ethics

Lesson 3: Workplace Ethics & Integrity

SITNS Music is committed to a work environment built on trust, respect, and integrity. Ethical conduct is non-negotiable.

• Honesty: If you make a mistake or damage equipment, report it truthfully and immediately to your supervisor.
• Respect: Treat every person on site with dignity, regardless of their role or background.
• Discretion: You may overhear sensitive information. Maintain strict confidentiality. Do not take photos or post about work on social media without explicit permission.