IBSA | Theatre Technician

Online Store

Purchase training materials and publications online.

Theatre Technician

Does the idea of helping backstage in live theatre and entertainment events appeal? Then consider a career as a multi-skilled theatre technician. Depending on the type of production, you could be operating lighting equipment, mixing live audio or attending to the mechanical aspects of staging.

Depending on their level of experience and the environment in which they are working, tasks for theatre technicians could include:

Setting up and testing a range of equipment;
Operating lighting cues and effects during performances;
Mixing live sound;
Operating vision systems during performances; and
Installing and operating staging elements, e.g. revolving stage.

Working hours for theatre technicians can be long and irregular, but the rewards of working as a team member on creative productions are great! You may also be required to go on tour with productions.

CUE40303 Certificate IV in Live Production, Theatre and Events (Technical Operations)

The Certificate IV in Live Production, Theatre and Events (Technical Operations) develops a broad range of skills applicable to a range of technical operations in the entertainment industry, including team leadership. It allows specialisations in audio, lighting, staging and vision systems.

What you can expect in a training program

While each course or on-the-job training program may differ in emphasis, the core of any program will involve learning about the entertainment industry, about leading work teams, working safely and observing all security procedures. A typical training program for the Certificate IV in Live Production, Theatre and Events (Technical Operations) with an emphasis on lighting and audio, would include:

Team leadership

Participating in the organisation of the bump in/bump out of shows; and
Participating in the coordination of production operations.

Live audio

Installing, aligning and testing audio equipment;
Selecting and managing microphone and other audio input sources;
Mixing live audio; and
Operating wireless audio equipment.

Lighting

Preparing, installing and testing lighting equipment;
Recording standard lighting cues;
Operating lighting cues and effects; and
Using hand tools.

Qualifications and competency standards

For information on the structure of qualifications and the detail of competency standards:

Go to the National Training Information Service website.
Select 'Training Packages' and type CUE03 into the Training Package Code search field.
Select 'Qualification Packaging Rules' to view all qualifications, or 'Units of Competency' to view the content of units.

What other options do I have?

With specialisations in lighting and audio from the IV in Live Production, Theatre and Events (Technical Operations), you are in a good position to find employment on a freelance or permanent basis in the entertainment and events industries.

Where can I do training?

You'll find TAFE and other colleges on the national database of Registered Training Organisations - here's how it works:

At the NTIS website select courses/qualifications.
In the 'course/qualification code' field type CUE40303 and on the next screen click Certificate IV in Live Production, Theatre and Events (Technical Operations).
On the next screen click 'Training Providers' and then search by state or nationally.

Further information

For more information, visit the websites below, talk to the careers teacher at your school, go to Open Days at TAFE colleges and universities and visit their websites.

Useful websites

For industry information, search the Australian Government's Culture and Recreation Portal. There you will find links to thousands of websites across all areas of the arts, entertainment, media and publishing industries.

Career and employment information websites

myfuture
Job Guide
Australian JobSearch
Australian Apprenticeships or call the hotline on 1800 639 629
Australian Apprenticeships Training Information Service
Get Access
WageNet

Back to Overview of Entertainment Training Package