The Creative Arts industry is a very diverse field and offers many opportunities to follow your passion for creativity, without having to compromise on making a good living and enjoying a fulfilling career.

The next in our Careers in the Creative Arts series is Lighting Technician.

Are you technically minded with and interest in the arts? Find yourself interested in the rigging suspended above a stage? Would you like to put someone in the spotlight!? What is being a Lighting Technician all about?

Lighting Technician

So, what do they do?

Lighting Technicians set up and operate lighting for concerts and performances in the theatre or in film and TV productions. They produce the effects on stage and provide everything from basic spotlighting to installing and operating special effects and pyrotechnics.

What type of person would make a good Lighting Technician?

Lighting Technicians need to have a good grasp of electrical work, as the job entails a lot of the tasks similar to that of an electrician. You will need to have good physical stamina as the work can be physically demanding, while a head for heights may also be required. You must be technically proficient and with an ability to use, maintain and repair a range of machines and tools. Lighting technicians work closely with sound technicians, the director and the stage manager to create the live theatre experience.

OK, so how do I become a Lighting Technician?

Inchicore CFE run a two-year Technical Theatre Diploma in Lighting, Sound and Stage Management at QQI Level 6+ equivalence.

Sound Training College in Dublin have a Live Sound, Lighting and Stage Production course.

The Lir also run Technology and the Stage short courses over weekends that can serve as an introduction into the career. The Level 8 Stage Management and Technical Theatre course also offers practice based training in all technical departments including lighting.

Modules on Lighting are included in a range of theatre courses nationwide.

Finally, are there jobs and what’s the pay like?!

Lighting Technicians can work across a wide variety of areas. They can work in broadcasting (radio and TV), film production, theatres and event management companies.

Salary rates can range from €18k - €37k. Higher salaries are awarded relevant to experience and size of company.

If you are interested in finding out more information about what a Lighting Technician is, what they do and how you might become one, just go to our Career Explorer where you will find detailed information on this occupation and over 1,000 other careers.

You might also do some research on the Sound & Stage Production, Drama & Theatre, Film, Radio & Podcasting, Music and TV & Online Video sectors which are also relevant to this occupation.

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