More questions about technical theater?

Question:Okay so a few days ago I asked what the pros and cons of technical theater were. Today I have a few more particular questions.
1. Does working ask a tech theater person require a lot of teamwork?
2. What is the average salary of a professional tech theater person?
3. What are some odd facts about being a tech theater person?

Thanks.

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: Okay so a few days ago I asked what the pros and cons of technical theater were. Today I have a few more particular questions.
1. Does working ask a tech theater person require a lot of teamwork?
2. What is the average salary of a professional tech theater person?
3. What are some odd facts about being a tech theater person?

Thanks.

1. Technical theater IS teamwork. Especially if you are on headset giving or taking cues. This also requires synchronicity with the performers on stage, though they are often clueless to this fact. Even though one crew may operate autonomously from another, there is very often a need for them to have clear communication with another. People on the rail and deck crew may not see each other but each crew helps create the illusion of what the set is creating. etc.

2. Average salary depends on if you are in a union and where you are working and what your job is. Stage managers and designers are usually at the top of the pay scale. A IATSE (stagehands union) stage manager on Broadway may make upwards of $100,000 a year, but most other theatrical workers and stagehands around the country make less. Also, consider most high paid stage managers and designers usually have college degrees in that field.

3. They most often prefer darkness of the stage to the lights and fame. They have a parallel to goths as they always dress completely in black, shirt, pants, shoes, shoestrings, socks... (at least when working backstage at a theater). I know way too many stagehands that are actually afraid of performing and even performers (sometimes I don't blame them). Many are as peculiar and eccentric as actors but usually less narcissistic and noticable in this manner.

For more info on stagehands and theatrical workers and being one, check out the IATSE site:

1. Yes, yes, YES. Collaboration is a huge factor in theatre. Everyone has to work together to get the show up.

2. Depends on what you would like to do. ME, TD, SM, etc.

3. Everyone in theatre is odd. :)
I don't really understand this question.

1. Theatre is a cooperative art. No single aspect of theatre can exist on its own. The ability to be a team player is a requirement to work in the theatre.

2. There is no such thing as an average salary for tech theatre. It first depends on what you want to do in "professional tech theater." If you are just starting out and have no tech theatre background, and want to go into backstage work (running crews, fly crews, prop crews, etc.) you have a couple of paths you can take. If your definition of professional theatre involves Broadway or something similar you will need to start out attending IATSE (International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees) labor calls for load-ins, load-outs etc. off of their permit list. Typical union pay varies from local to local and based on number of hours worked and what time of day you are working. However off of the permit list you can probably expect to make between 15 and 40 an hour. If you are starting out and looking to go into stage management the best way to start out if you have no previous experience is to start as a PA (Production Assistant) its a shitty job but it gets ASM's SM's and PSM's (Assistant Stage Manager, Stage Manager, Production Stage Manager) to recognize you and know who you are and that you are responsible (hopefully) and if they remember you they may call you and ask you to join them on their next show. PA positions can sometimes be advertised as internships where they wont pay you and sometimes you can expect to make up to about 30 an hour. There is no simple answer to this question.

3. Odd facts, a pig isn't something that squeals and rolls in mud, people will hurt you if you ask where the light bulbs are and a scoop cant be used to move things.

Without teamwork nothing gets done in the Theatre.Pay depends on your skill. Techies tend to be af a dark Gothic Nerd Type.