Theatre Technician CV Example
A theatre technician CV showcases your backstage expertise in lighting, sound, set construction, or stage management for live performance venues.
Recommended template: VibrantPro
Key Skills to Include
Quick Tips
- Specify your technical specialism, whether lighting, sound, stage management, or set construction.
- List specific equipment and software you are proficient with.
- Include notable productions and venues you have worked at to demonstrate your experience level.
- Highlight any formal qualifications in technical theatre or relevant health and safety certifications.
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Upgrade to ProHow to Write Your Theatre Technician CV
A theatre technician CV should demonstrate your technical skills, safety awareness, and experience working within professional production environments. Theatres and production companies want technicians who can work efficiently, maintain high safety standards, and adapt to the varying demands of different productions and venues. Whether you specialise in lighting, sound, set construction, or stage management, your CV should clearly communicate your expertise and the scale of productions you have supported.
CV Structure
Lead with a concise profile stating your technical specialism and experience level. List work experience in reverse chronological order, describing the venue, your role, and the types of productions you supported. Include a dedicated skills section listing equipment and software proficiencies. Add sections for qualifications and health and safety certifications. Keep the document to one or two pages, focusing on your most relevant and recent experience.
CV Format
Use a straightforward, professional template that is easy to scan. Avoid creative design elements — theatre technical CVs should prioritise clarity and completeness. List equipment and software skills clearly, and ensure your certifications are easy to find. Save as a PDF for electronic submission.
CV Profile Examples
Experienced Lighting Technician
Skilled lighting technician with eight years of experience programming, rigging, and operating lighting systems in producing theatres, touring venues, and outdoor festival settings. Proficient with ETC Eos, MA grandMA2, and Avolites consoles with strong knowledge of conventional and LED fixture technology. Experienced in fit-ups, get-outs, and touring logistics across venues ranging from 100-seat studios to 1,500-seat proscenium theatres.
Sound Technician
Detail-oriented sound technician with six years of experience in live theatre, musical theatre, and live event production. Proficient with DiGiCo, Yamaha, and Allen & Heath digital mixing consoles, QLab, and wireless microphone systems including Sennheiser and Shure platforms. Experienced in sound design, system tuning, and show operation for drama, musicals, and spoken word productions across regional and touring contexts.
Junior Stage Technician
Motivated stage technician with two years of professional experience at a regional producing theatre, seeking to develop skills across lighting, sound, and stage management. BTEC Level 3 in Production Arts with additional IOSH Managing Safely and working at height certifications. Reliable, physically capable, and committed to maintaining the highest safety and production standards in all technical theatre environments.
State your technical specialism, years of professional experience, and the types of venues you have worked in. Mention specific equipment and one or two notable productions or venues to establish your level.
Key Skills for Your Theatre Technician CV
Lighting Design & Operation
Rigging, focusing, programming, and operating lighting systems for theatrical performances using industry-standard consoles and fixtures.
Sound Engineering
Setting up, tuning, and operating sound systems for live theatre including mixing, wireless microphone management, and playback.
Set Construction
Building scenic elements using wood, metal, and composite materials in theatre workshops to production manager specifications.
Stage Management
Coordinating rehearsals, calling cues during performances, and managing communication between creative and technical teams.
Rigging
Safely installing and managing suspension systems for lighting, scenery, and aerial equipment in compliance with safety regulations.
Health & Safety
Implementing and adhering to health and safety protocols including risk assessments, working at height procedures, and fire safety.
ETC/MA Lighting Desks
Programming and operating ETC Eos, Ion, and MA grandMA2 lighting consoles for complex theatrical lighting states and cues.
Technical Drawing
Producing lighting plots, sound system plans, and set construction drawings using AutoCAD or Vectorworks for production documentation.
Work Experience Examples
Describe the venue, its scale, and the types of productions you supported. Detail your specific technical responsibilities and the equipment you operated. Mention any supervisory duties, training of junior staff, or contributions to production safety. Quantify with numbers of productions, show runs, or venue capacities.
Senior Lighting Technician
Sheffield Theatres
Managed lighting operations across three performance spaces at one of the UK's largest producing theatre complexes, supporting a programme of in-house productions and visiting companies.
Responsibilities
- Rigged, focused, and programmed lighting for in-house productions in the Crucible, Lyceum, and Crucible Studio theatres.
- Operated lighting desks during performances, running cue-to-cue technical rehearsals and maintaining consistency across extended runs.
- Carried out daily safety checks on lighting equipment, conducted PAT testing, and maintained an inventory of fixtures and consumables.
- Supervised casual technicians during fit-ups and get-outs, ensuring safe working practices and efficient use of crew hours.
- Collaborated with visiting lighting designers to interpret their plans, adapt to the venue's infrastructure, and deliver their creative vision.
Achievements
- Programmed lighting for a Crucible main stage production that received an Olivier Award nomination for Best Lighting Design.
- Reduced fixture turnaround time by 20% by implementing a standardised rig plan for the studio theatre that accommodated 80% of visiting company requirements.
- Trained and mentored four apprentice technicians through the theatre's technical apprenticeship programme over three years.
Theatre Technician
New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich
Provided multi-skilled technical support for a busy regional producing and receiving theatre with a 400-seat main house and 100-seat studio.
Responsibilities
- Assisted with lighting, sound, and stage changeovers for in-house productions and visiting companies across both performance spaces.
- Built and painted set pieces in the on-site workshop under the guidance of the master carpenter and production manager.
- Operated sound and lighting for studio theatre productions and community events during the venue's participatory programme.
- Maintained technical equipment stores, flagging equipment requiring repair or replacement to the technical manager.
Achievements
- Completed PASMA and IPAF certifications within the first six months, enabling independent work at height across the venue.
- Supported the technical delivery of the theatre's annual Christmas production, managing nightly pyrotechnic effects safely across a six-week run of 60 performances.
Education & Qualifications
List your technical theatre qualification first, whether a degree, BTEC, or HND. Follow with health and safety certifications including IOSH, PASMA, IPAF, and first aid. Include any manufacturer-specific training such as ETC or Sennheiser courses.
BA / HND Production Arts
Degree or diploma in technical theatre covering lighting, sound, stage management, and production skills.
IOSH Managing Safely
Health and safety management qualification relevant to supervising technical work in performance environments.
PASMA / IPAF Certification
Working at height certifications for mobile access tower assembly and mobile elevating work platform operation.
First Aid at Work
HSE-approved first aid qualification required for technical staff working in performance and event venues.
Frequently Asked Questions
What qualifications do I need for theatre technical work?
How should I list equipment skills on my CV?
How do I get into theatre technical work?
Should I specialise in one area of theatre technology?
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