Career Advice for Female Stagehands
Iky Tai
There is no doubt that stage production is a male-dominated industry due to the considerable amount of lifting, heavy and dirty physical work involved. However, if you’re a woman who is passionate about live show production, this shouldn’t be the end of your dream, as a great stage technician requires a lot more than just being physically strong.
After listening to dozens of female stagehands or roadies and getting advice from crewing companies, here is a list of career advice for ladies who want to be part of a backstage crew.
Understand Backstage Work
Working as a stagehand is tough, irrespective of gender. The environment is high-stress, no-sleep and not glamorous. You will always be dirty due to sweats, muddy equipment, dust, dirt and so on. Backstage workers are also the last group to leave the venue as they are responsible for taking the set down and loading it onto a truck. They probably work up to 16 hours per day.
However, these hardworking people working behind the scenes are the unsung heroes of the music and entertainment industry. Without them, a production cannot happen. Moreover, job satisfaction is absolutely off the scale, especially when working on a large-scale music or theatre tour.
Develop a Thick Skin
While some female roadies told us their male colleagues tend to enjoy having some women around in this unbalanced working environment, other female crewmembers experience misogyny at work. They are watched at work by their male counterparts who are curious about how they handle tasks. The men sometimes don’t expect the women to know what/how to do the work involved. The situation is even worse when they work with new crews who don’t know their ability.
Those who have dealt with this experience suggested, ‘’ don’t take it personally. They don’t even realize they are watching us,’’ they added, ‘’come prepared, be nice and work hard! The crews will stop underestimating your ability and show the respect that you have earned from working with them’’. Another woman said,’’ I laughed off all stupid comments. The more they told me I’d never do it, the more I thought “just watch me” ‘’
It isn’t our intention to scare you but instead to prepare you for working in a predominately male environment. In fact, most of the time these working women have experienced respect and equality in the industry.
Regular Workouts
It is a fact that women are not as strong as men due to their different genetic makeup. While almost everything on a rig is heavy such as the stage, speakers and lights, this issue can be easily overcome. To build a bit of strength, having a few more gym sessions can absolutely help, as many small women in the industry can actually lift a very heavy load. There are things, of course, that we women can't pick up, but if we push our limits every time, we’ll get stronger. Many determined women out there are tough, fearless and don’t step back when faced with challenges.
Again, the job is really NOT about brute force. Communication and technical skills are equally vital for a stage professional. Which brings us on to our next piece of advice.
Improve your skills
Although a high level of physical strength can power you up at work, working smart can save you a great deal of time and effort. In fact, there are muscular crew guys who don’t know how to stack a flight case or get something up a ramp properly. If you’re eager to learn, many experienced crew members are willing to teach in this industry whose knowledge and experience are invaluable to your career. For example, holding a piece of equipment at specific angles gives greater lifting power.
Therefore, grabbing every opportunity to learn from crews is the quickest way to improve your on-the-job skills and to prepare yourself to work in specialised areas like sound and lighting.
Dress Properly at Work
It goes without saying that appropriate workwear is vital for this physically demanding work, however, some women have, on occasion, shown up in high-heel boots. Ladies, we don’t necessarily need them to feel feminine. There are now more supplies than ever of workwear and personal protective equipment provided in women’s sizing thanks to increasing awareness of demand from female riggers. Their slim-fit design specifically suits our female figure.
The need for women’s sizes is not only for appearance but also for safety reasons. Men’s trousers are often baggy for ladies and can snag on a ladder causing them to fall. An oversized pair of gloves can lead to accidents due to poor grip.
Start the Career Right
This is an industry where education and qualification aren’t everything. Training is usually on the job. For example, new stagehands receive instruction and guidance from the technical stage manager or other experienced staff members in the theatre.
Instead of having a degree course in production management, those who want to be a backstage crew member should get relevant hands-on experience, e.g. getting involved with the local band scene, student union, and local student club. Many people begin their careers by working in amateur productions or as casual backstage staff in a local theatre.
With good knowledge and experience, you can be promoted to the stage technician or lead a crew of stagehands. You can also become a sound or lighting engineer with further training.
Networking
Once you step into the industry, don’t forget about networking. Building up industry contacts is very important in order to find out the next production. If you're connected to more crews, you will get the call easily. Your industry peers will also help you to grow your career.
Again, a real interest in theatre, film or television is the most important entry requirement. If you feel that this job is for you but are put off by stereotypes and misconceptions, then reconsider because us women have the same right to pursue our dream as men.
Iky Tai is the Marketing Specialist at Mountain Productions, North America's leading live event production company founded in 1979. She works closely with stage production professionals and is also a regular contributor to arts & entertainment blogs, e.g. MTN SHOP and Theatre Art Life.
Photo: Female Backstage Crew in Dirty Rigger Workwear Trousers, from MTN SHOP