Everyone must have wondered about what stage crew does at some point. Whenever you go to a show or event, and you see the amazing set and everything else at the venue, you know someone must have done all that. With so many things going on during the event and not to mention hundreds or even thousands of attendants, keeping the show from falling apart is a crucial task.
And that is exactly what the stage crew does. Stage crew, also known as stagehands or backstage crew, these people work backstage during events or performances to keep everything running smoothly and organized. They are in charge of many things, from special effects to keeping track of props. You can see all kinds of jobs involved in various crew event jobs in London.
Stage crew’s common responsibilities
The stage crew’s responsibilities varied based on the type of event or performance. So as a part of the stage crew, you should familiarize yourself with all kinds of tasks that may be involved. Here are some common responsibilities that you may encounter.
Scenic construction
This job involved building sets designed by the set designer. This kind of job is common and can be the chance for you to learn how to make a set happen from the blueprint to complete on stage. Obviously, you’re going to learn how to work with a hammer and nail or at least put various things together and keep them that way. It is busy work but can be fun, too. Don’t forget your safety gear.
Prop master
I think many people have heard about prop master before. Prop masters who have worked on a big project have huge collections of awesome and legendary props that many people know. The works for this potion involve building and securing props for the play, including the ones for rehearsal. Expect to do plenty of research for pictures, shopping various items, create many things, and work together with the set designer. If you think you are a creative person, this job may be the one for you.
Costume prep
This job is probably the trickiest one to do properly. The costume can make or break a play, especially when the audience knows a lot about the play and loves to scrutinize everything. Costume prep involves working in the costume shop – sewing and putting and together costumes. Besides that, you will have to deal with costume purses, such as jewelry, purses, and pretty much anything else, hair, shoes, and so on. You will have to work closely with director notes, character choices, and costume designer.
Fly crew
For flashy effects or plays, the fly crew is needed here. The crew pulls ropes on cue during the performance that brings in and out the drops that create the scene. Everyone involved has to be on the same page and knows exactly what to do at the right time. Prepare to stay focused at all times.
Design assistant
The designer has plenty of things to do, so they need other people to help them. From doing research to building the model, a designer has plenty of responsibilities. A design assistant’s job is to help the designer with everything they need. You will be involved in every step here, from prelim design discussions until all the way to the end.
Scenic paint
If you love painting, this job may be really fun for you and not to mention challenging. Once the stage has been built, this crew paints the scenery to create a living world that immerses the audience. No play will be complete without a scenic paint crew. You must work closely with the designers to come up with the best paint colors and implement various techniques of paint illusion. Learning new sets and new techniques will definitely be a challenge here.
Conclusion
The stage crew has plenty of tasks and responsibilities. Whenever you see a play or performance to completion without any problems, you know that the stage crew is the people behind the success. Working backstage definitely has its own uniqueness and challenges, you will be encouraged to learn new skills and adapt to new environments.
