Backstage. That dark, hectic, amazing place where so much of the invisible work happens in order to create the magic the audience sees on stage.
For anyone who is interested in dipping their proverbial toe into the waters of theatre, backstage crew (also known as “run crew” or “techies”) is a great place to get started. Not only do you get to be a part of the theatrical process, but you get an up-close and personal look at what life is like as an actor, director, designer, dramaturg, stage manager, choreographer, and more.
Before we dive into what makes an awesome backstage crew member, let’s take a moment and shine a light on what important jobs are done by techies.
Pretend you are watching a show. What would happen if an actor came on stage with only half of her costume? Or the performers sang into the darkness because there was no light? Or an actor opened a box expecting a prop to be inside…only it wasn’t?
Let’s be honest…you’d probably laugh. Whenever something like that goes wrong, it pulls you out of the moment, out of the story. You instantly remember that you are sitting in a theatre watching a fictional story play out on stage. And in that moment, the show loses some of its magic.
The backstage crew members are the heroes who make sure that nothing like that happens. In short, backstage crew members are responsible for making sure that all the design elements (including lights, sound, scenery, props, costume, hair, and make-up) run smoothly during performances.
Just how do they do that, you ask? Well, there are a lot of different jobs that you can do backstage. You may run the light board, making sure every light comes on at the right time. You might be a dresser, helping actors change costumes backstage. You might watch over the props table, ensuring that all props are exactly where they are supposed to be at all times. Or you may run the sound board, hitting every sound cue precisely on time. You may even be responsible for moving scenery on and off stage as the scenes change.
A lot of the success of a production hinges on having amazing backstage crew members. If you want to excel at your job, here are 10 things to keep in mind.
- Check your calendar!
Backstage crew members usually join the process later in the game, during tech week. They are often called earlier than the actors so that they can make sure everything is prepped and ready to go. Your stage manager will provide you with a production calendar that includes exactly when and where you are supposed to be. Check it often. And then check it again. Make sure you are crystal clear on exactly when you are supposed to be at the theatre.
Be aware – there are no nights off for crew. You are expected to be there for every tech rehearsal and every performance. Not showing up one night can put the whole show in jeopardy! So check your calendar carefully and block out all of those nights.
- Be on time!
Speaking of when…be on time! Your stage manager will put a lot of work into planning out exactly how long everything will take in order for the show to be ready to go. If you show up late, you risk delaying the entire process. This causes unnecessary stress and anxiety for everyone else on the team. Being an awesome backstage crew member means that you are always on time.
And don’t forget…In the theatre world, being on time means being there ten minutes early.
As we talked about above, being part of the backstage crew means that one of your jobs is to keep the magical illusion of theatre alive. We want the audience to focus on the story that is happening on stage, not on the work that is happening in the wings. For this reason, your stage manager will ask you to wear “blacks.” Just like it sounds, wearing blacks means everything on your body is black – your shirt (long-sleeved), your pants, your belt, your socks, your shoes (which should be closed-toe and non-reflective)….even your hair tie. And by black, we mean black. No logos, no stripes, no designs…nothing. Just black.
Why wear blacks? Wearing black helps you disappear into the darkness backstage. It makes it difficult for the audience members to see you as you move about doing your work. This helps keep the illusion alive. Don’t ruin it by wearing a different color.
- Be nice!
No one likes working with someone who is mean. Or grumpy. Or annoying. The simple act of smiling, speaking respectfully, and cheerfully doing any job that is assigned to you (even if it’s not “your” job), will go a long way in creating an environment backstage that everyone enjoys being in. It’s also the quickest way of securing another job. Because, the truth is, people hire people who are pleasant to work with. Be that person.
- Always be alert!
One of the funnest parts of live theatre is that you never know what might happen! A seam in a costume might rip, a light might burn out, a prop might break. You need to be on your toes and ready to help fix any problem that might arise. Be ready to jump in at any moment – who knows? You just might save the show!
- Listen to your Stage Manager!
Once a show moves into a theatre for tech and performances, the stage manager starts to run the show. She has the enormous task of making sure that everything runs exactly the way the director, playwright, and designers have imagined the show will run.
And she is depending on you. The stage manager will have a big picture view of everything that is happening on and off stage. When she gives you a task, or a correction, or a suggestion, do it. And do it cheerfully (see tip number 4). The best backstage crew members make the job of the stage manager as easy as possible.
- Don’t touch!
Everything that lives backstage – costumes, props, set pieces, wigs, etc. – has an assigned spaced. This organization ensures that the show goes off without a hitch. Therefore it’s super important that you only touch the things over which you have been assigned. If you are in charge of the costumes of two different characters, then those costumes are your domain. Do what you need to do! But don’t touch any of the other costumes…or props…or set pieces.
- Keep it clean!
Working backstage can involve some long hours (especially during tech week). It’s not uncommon for people working backstage to have stuff with them to do on their breaks – food, homework, a book. Just make sure that you keep it clean and tidy. Don’t have your bag out somewhere where someone could trip over it. Only eat food in designated spaces (and times). And, at the end of the night, make sure that you clean up and organize the space you are working in.
- Put away your phone!
In real life, phones are awesome. Backstage, phones are a nightmare. Not only can the glow of the screen break a magical moment for the audience, but they can distract crew members from meeting their cues (i.e. doing their work on time). The easiest way to keep this rule is to remove all temptations – keep your phone in your backpack or in your locker so that you never feel the pull to take it out of your pocket.
- Be respectful!
Everyone – and everything – in the production has a job to do. Make sure you respect the work and obligations of other people (both on and off stage), the space that you are in, and all the elements that are working together to create an amazing performance.
Have you ever been part of a backstage crew? We’d love to hear your stories of what it was like. Feel free to share them here!