Arts & crafts

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role

University

You can do a foundation degree or degree in a subject like:

• stage and production management
• sound engineering and production
• theatre and production arts

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• at least 1 A level, or equivalent, for a foundation degree
• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

For more information

• equivalent entry requirements
• student finance for fees and living costs
• university courses and entry requirements

College

You can take a college course, for example:

• Level 2 Certificate in Technical Theatre - Sound, Light and Stage
• Level 3 Diploma in Production Arts
• T Level in Media, Broadcast and Production

The skills you'll learn on these courses could help when you look for a trainee job with a stage or production company.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T level

For more information

• equivalent entry requirements
• funding advice
• guide to T levels
• search for courses

Apprenticeship

You can get into this job through a creative venue technician advanced apprenticeship.

This typically takes 24 months to complete as a mix of workplace learning and off-the-job study.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

For more information

• equivalent entry requirements
• guide to apprenticeships

Work

You may be able to start in a theatre or venue as a member of the casual backstage staff and work your way up.

You can contact a theatre's resident stage manager or master carpenter to find out about possible opportunities.

Volunteering and work experience

Any backstage experience you have from school, college, amateur or fringe productions will be helpful.

More information

Career tips

You may have an advantage if you've got skills and experience in carpentry, electrical work, sound or lighting.

Further information

You can find out more about working and training as a stagehand from Get Into Theatre and the Association of British Theatre Technicians.

You can get more information on working in creative careers from Discover Creative Careers.

With experience, you could lead a crew of stagehands and scene builders. You could also take further training to become a production carpenter, sound or lighting engineer. You could do a creative industries production manager degree apprenticeship to become a stage manager.

You could also work freelance for theatre venues, TV or film studios, touring theatre companies and large-scale concert tours.

Creative Choices has more information about careers in the theatre and the performing arts.