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What jobs are there on a musical theatre tour?

2 replies

BuzzBeeEmoticon · 24/09/2022 09:46

If you’ve ever worked on a musical before, what backstage jobs are there that involve touring with the actors? I tried googling but it wasn’t very forthcoming. Are there any that don’t involve degrees/tons of experience? Like a paid gopher!

OP posts:
SpikyHatePotato · 24/09/2022 10:06

On a number 1 tour, there aren't any paid gophers with no experience.

You will have (example - staffing will change according to the requirements of the production):
Production Manager
Stage Management - Company Manager, Stage Manager, Deputy Stage Manager, Assistant Stage Manager(s).
Head Carpenter and assistant(s) - they build and repair the set, even if it's not made of wood
Lighting: Relighter, Production LX, Programmer, LX 1,2 3, Stage LX
Sound: Production Sound, Sound 1, 2, 3, 4
Automation staff
Wardrobe: Head of Wardrobe, Deputy
Wigs and Make Up: Head of WMU, Deputy

Local staff, usually casuals on the books at each theatre will include crew to empty the trucks, rig lighting and sound, etc. There will also be local dressers, who also do the daily show laundry.

If you want to work backstage, try contacting your local big theatre and ask if they need crew (but you don't have any experience). Provided you turn up on time, with practical clothing, gloves and steelies, listen and do as you're told, don't try to lift what you can't, ask questions if you don't understand, and don't leave your dirty mug in the crew room sink, you should be OK. It won't be easy, well paid or glamourous, you won't meet the stars and it might entirely consist of pushing flightcases off a truck.

BuzzBeeEmoticon · 24/09/2022 10:13

Thank you so much, this is really useful info. It is a particular tour that I’ve got it in my head that I want to work with and was hoping there was something I could maybe do but knew it was a long shot. I will have to settle for following it around and watching it instead it seems!

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