17 Stage Technician Interview Questions and Answers

Stage technicians are the unsung heroes of the theater. They work behind the scenes to make sure the lights, sound, sets, and props are all in order before the curtain goes up. This often means long hours—and sometimes working overnight—to make sure everything is perfect for the show.

If you’re looking for a job in theater, you’ll likely need to go through a job interview. One of the best ways to prepare is to learn how to answer stage technician interview questions. In this guide, you’ll find several sample questions and responses, including questions about experience, training, and problem-solving skills.

Are you comfortable working with a wide variety of technical equipment?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your technical skills and how you adapt to new equipment. Use examples from previous roles where you had to quickly learn a variety of equipment or software programs.

Example: “In my last role, I worked with several different types of lighting equipment, including LED lights, spotlights and moving heads. Each type of light has its own unique controls, so I had to get used to each one. However, after working with them for a few weeks, I became comfortable using all the different types of equipment. Now, I can set up any type of lighting in no time at all.”

What are some of the most important skills you have to perform your job as a stage technician?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have the skills and abilities to perform your job duties. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a few of the most important skills for stage technicians and how you use them in your work.

Example: “The two most important skills I have as a stage technician are my ability to communicate with others and my attention to detail. As a stage technician, I need to make sure that everyone on set knows what they’re doing and when they should do it. This means I must clearly relay instructions from the director and keep track of all changes or updates. Attention to detail is also very important because I need to ensure that everything looks exactly as it should before filming begins.”

How would you react if you discovered a mistake you made caused a performance to go wrong?

This question can help interviewers understand how you respond to mistakes and challenges. Your answer should show that you are willing to take responsibility for your actions, learn from them and make amends when necessary.

Example: “If I made a mistake during a performance, I would first try to fix it as quickly as possible. If the problem was too big to solve in time, I would inform my supervisor or manager so they could address the issue with the appropriate parties. Informing my superiors about my mistake shows that I’m responsible and committed to doing what’s right.”

What is your experience with using lighting and sound equipment?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience with the tools and equipment you’ll use on stage. Use your answer to highlight any specific skills or techniques you have for using these tools, such as how you troubleshoot problems or how you communicate with other technicians.

Example: “I’ve worked in theater productions since high school, so I’m very familiar with all of the lighting and sound equipment used on stage. In my last production, I was responsible for setting up all of the lights and microphones before each show. I also had to make sure that all of the equipment was working properly during the show. To do this, I communicated with the other stage technicians to ensure we were all ready to go.”

Provide an example of a time you made a mistake and how you resolved it.

Employers ask this question to learn more about your problem-solving skills. They want to know that you can recognize a mistake and take steps to fix it. In your answer, explain what steps you took to resolve the issue. Show them that you are willing to accept responsibility for your actions.

Example: “In my last position as a stage technician, I was responsible for setting up the lighting on the main stage. During one performance, I forgot to turn on the lights in the background of the stage. The performer noticed right away and asked me why they weren’t working. I explained that I had forgotten to turn them on. She told me she would wait until I fixed the issue before continuing with her show. After turning on the lights, I apologized to the performer and assured her that it wouldn’t happen again.”

If you were asked to set up a performance space for a new show, what would you do first?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you prioritize your tasks and whether you have experience with a variety of venues. Use examples from past projects to highlight your organizational skills, attention to detail and ability to work under pressure.

Example: “If I were asked to set up for a new show, my first priority would be to read through the script and determine what props or scenery are needed. Then, I would meet with the director to discuss any special requirements for the performance space. Next, I would assign stagehands to specific areas of the stage to ensure that all equipment is in place before the start of the show.”

What would you do if you were in charge of setting up a performance space but the requested equipment wasn’t available?

This question can help interviewers understand how you handle unexpected challenges. In your answer, explain what steps you would take to find the equipment and complete the task as efficiently as possible.

Example: “If I was in charge of setting up a performance space but the requested equipment wasn’t available, I would first try to locate the missing items by contacting other venues that may have the equipment we need. If this didn’t work, I would contact the production manager or director to see if they could change the show’s setup to accommodate the equipment we had on hand. If neither of these options worked, I would ask my team members for their input and come up with a solution together.”

How well do you work with others?

Stage technicians often work in teams, so employers ask this question to see if you can collaborate with others. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific time when you worked well with your team and helped them achieve a goal or complete a task.

Example: “I have always been someone who works well with others. I find that collaborating with my peers helps me learn new skills and ideas. In my last role as a stage technician, I was working on a show where the lighting director wasn’t available for the first two nights of the production. I had never done that job before, but I worked closely with the other stage technicians to figure out how to use the lights effectively.”

Do you have experience performing basic repairs on stage equipment?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your technical skills and how you apply them in a live setting. Use your answer to highlight any specific repairs you’ve made on stage equipment, including the tools you used and the steps you took to complete the task.

Example: “In my last position as a stage technician, I often had to repair broken lighting fixtures and other damaged equipment. For example, one time during a performance, a light fixture fell from its perch and broke. I immediately turned off power to the entire area of the stage where the light was located and then climbed up onto the catwalk to assess the damage. After determining that it would be safer for me to remove the light rather than fix it, I disconnected all wires and removed the fixture from the ceiling.”

When preparing a performance space, what is the importance of aisles and clear paths of sight?

The interviewer may ask you a question like this to assess your knowledge of the technical aspects of stage design and how they relate to safety. Use examples from past experiences where you ensured clear paths of sight for all members of the crew, cast and audience members.

Example: “Aisles are important because they allow everyone on the production team to move around safely during setup and performance. Clear sight lines ensure that no one is blocking the view of anyone else while working or watching the show. In my last role, I worked with a large crew who needed to set up in an auditorium with limited space backstage. We had to be very careful about our movements so we didn’t block each other’s views.”

We want to improve our communication with performers and crew members. Describe a strategy you would use to do so.

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your communication skills and how you would use them to improve the overall performance of a show. In your answer, describe a strategy that you have used in the past to communicate with others on stage or backstage.

Example: “I find it helpful to create a plan for communicating with performers and crew members before each show. I usually start by asking everyone what they need to know before the show starts so I can write down their questions and relay them during appropriate times throughout the show. This helps me ensure that everyone gets the information they need when they need it.”

Describe your experience with using theatrical lighting equipment.

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience with using lighting equipment in a theater setting. This can help them determine if you have the necessary skills and knowledge to use the company’s equipment effectively. In your answer, describe any previous experience you have working with theatrical lighting equipment. Explain how you used it and what kind of results you achieved.

Example: “In my last position as a stage technician, I worked closely with all kinds of lighting equipment. We had several different types of lights that we could use for different purposes. For example, we had spotlights, floodlights and other types of lights that we could use to illuminate specific areas on the stage. I also used dimmer boards to control the intensity of the lights.”

What makes you the best candidate for this position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you can contribute to their team. Before your interview, make a list of all the skills you have that relate to stage technician work. Think about what makes you unique compared to other candidates. Share these skills with the interviewer so they know why you are the best person for the job.

Example: “I am highly organized and detail-oriented, which is important when working on a live production. I also have experience troubleshooting technical issues during shows, which has helped me develop my problem-solving skills. My communication skills are strong, which allows me to relay information to others clearly. These skills make me the best candidate for this position.”

Which theatrical productions have you worked on?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your experience. They want to know which shows you’ve worked on and how much responsibility you had in each production. When answering, list the productions you’ve worked on and what your role was in each one. If you have a lot of experience, consider focusing on the most recent or relevant projects.

Example: “I’ve worked on several theatrical productions throughout my career. My first job as a stage technician was working for a small theater company where I helped set up the sets and props. Then, I moved onto a larger theater company where I worked as an assistant stage manager. There, I learned how to manage a team of stage technicians and communicate with actors and directors. Most recently, I worked as a lead stage technician at a local community theater.”

What do you think is the most important part of a stage technician’s job?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your technical skills and how you prioritize them. Your answer should include an explanation of what you think is most important, as well as why it’s so crucial.

Example: “I believe that safety is the most important part of my job. I always make sure that all of our equipment is in good working order before each show, and if there are any issues, I fix them immediately. Safety is also one of the reasons I am pursuing this career—I love being able to help performers feel safe on stage while they perform.”

How often do you perform routine maintenance on theatrical equipment?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your technical skills and how often you perform maintenance on equipment. This can help them determine if you have the necessary experience for the role. In your answer, explain what types of equipment you maintain regularly and why it’s important to do so.

Example: “I perform routine maintenance on all theatrical equipment at least once a month. I find that doing so helps me identify any issues with the equipment before they become major problems. For example, when I performed monthly maintenance on my previous employer’s lighting system, I noticed one of the lights was flickering. After replacing the light bulb, I realized the problem was due to a loose wire connection. If I hadn’t been performing regular maintenance, we could have had an issue during a performance.”

There is a problem with the sound system during a performance. How would you handle it?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you would respond to a challenging situation. Use your answer to highlight your problem-solving skills and ability to remain calm under pressure.

Example: “If there is an issue with the sound system during a performance, I would first try to fix it myself. If I’m unable to do so, I would inform the production manager or stage manager of the problem as soon as possible. They may decide to stop the show while they find another technician to fix the problem. In this case, I would make sure that all performers are aware of the situation and reassure them that we’re working on fixing the problem as quickly as possible.”