Work Environment
This occupation is typically found in the following Career Sector(s):
Videos on the Web
- Lighting Technician- from: Youtube Search
- Lighting Technician- from: YouTube [Video]
Working Life
Theatre lighting technicians are responsible for preparing, wiring, operating and maintaining theatre lighting systems and electrical effects. Although they are sometimes known as theatre or stage electricians, they do not have to be qualified electricians.
Theatre lighting technicians work closely with lighting designers. Lighting designers decide where the lights (also referred to as lamps or lanterns) are to be placed, and plot their position on a lighting plan. Using this plan, the technicians fit the lights, place coloured filters or gobos in front of the lights and focus them.
During rehearsals, theatre lighting technicians help lighting designers create special lighting effects and write down lighting cues. Once productions are underway, they check that the lights are working properly and are correctly maintained. They may also help to operate lights.
Most commonly reported Work Tasks
- Assess safety of wiring or equipment set-up to determine the risk of fire or electrical shock.
- Consult with lighting director or production staff to determine lighting requirements.
- Disassemble and store equipment after performances.
- Install color effects or image patterns, such as color filters, onto lighting fixtures.
- Install electrical cables or wire fixtures.
- Load, unload, or position lighting equipment.
- Match light fixture settings, such as brightness and color, to lighting design plans.
- Notify supervisors when major lighting equipment repairs are needed.
- Operate manual or automated systems to control lighting throughout productions.
- Patch or wire lights to dimmers or other electronic consoles.
Further Information
- How to become a lighting technician: Peter's story- from: BBC [UK]
- Lighting Technician- from: N.C.S. [UK]
- Want to be a Lighting Technician?- from: Two Thirty Volts
Qualities - Lighting Technician
You will need to be highly motivated and have good communication skills. You should also enjoy working within a team, although there may be periods when you will have to work alone and use your own initiative. A good knowledge of health and safety regulations is very important.
The work can be physically demanding as it involves climbing ladders, working at heights and carrying heavy equipment. It can also have technical requirements, as you will be working with a large variety of equipment and software.
Creative instincts are required to create the right mood with lighting effects. Often you will be working under great pressure and will need to have the flexibility to adjust to sudden changes in the production.
Interests - Lighting Technician
This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:
Creative
Creative people are drawn to careers and activities that enable them to take responsibility for the design, layout or sensory impact of something (visual, auditory etc). They may be atrracted to the traditional artistic pursuits such as painting, sculpture, singing, or music. Or they may show more interest in design activities, such as architecture, animation, or craft areas, such as pottery and ceramics.
Creative people use their personal understanding of people and the world they live in to guide their work. Creative people like to work in unstructured workplaces, enjoy taking risks and prefer a minimum of routine.
Realist
Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.
Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.
Entry / Progression - Lighting Technician
Many Lighting Technicians start out as ‘stagehands’ where they do various jobs such as unloading trucks and hanging lights. They can then work their way up the career ladder, to roles such as Lighting Assistant before becoming a lighting technician.
Although you can learn many skills while working your way up, some training is also be needed. In particular, you need to have a ‘stagepass’, which is a health and safety pass specifically for staff working on stage productions. See more details about stagepass courses here.
You typically also need some technical training. The most relevant course subjects include theatre production or technical theatre studies, available in both Further and Higher Education. Such a course provides you with a broad skills set in lighting as well as sound and set design, in theatres and on different stages.
As a lighting technician you can get employment in a theatre, but also in the broader performance industry, working at cultural activities and music events. You may need to update your knowledge or broaden it with some further training. Professional organisations may offer training or promote training providers. See for example the Association of Irish Stage Technicians.
Bands often have a stage crew traveling with them on tour, and if you want a career where you get to travel, you can start working for smaller bands who may tour Ireland, and work your way up to bands who tour all over the world.
With some years experience as a lighting technician, you can also move into more senior roles such as Lighting Director or Technical Director.
Screen skills Work based learning programs - training for production assistants may be on-the-job. The company may organise short off-the-job courses for trainees.
Sample Education and Training Pathways
A number of courses are available throughout the country that focus on learning and skills that may be useful for this career. The examples and links below may guide you in your research.
Further Education (FET)
Further Education & Training (FET) Courses are delivered by local ETBs, ranging in duration from several weeks up to 20 months. Courses are designed to meet the labour market needs and often include a large element of work experience.
Example search terms include: media, production.
Search for FET Courses
PLC Courses (FET)
PLC courses are full-time courses, one or two years duration, with awards at Level 5 and 6 on the NFQ. They are offered nationally in Schools and Colleges of Further Education.
Example search terms include: creative digital media, TV, film studies, film production, media studies, theatrical lighting, sound.
Search for PLC Courses
Apprenticeships:
Apprenticeships are structured work-based training programs that combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction. They run from 2 – 4 years and are open to individuals of all ages, including school leavers, those seeking a career change, and existing employees who wish to upskill.
Examples: Electrical, Engineering Apprenticeship.
Search for Apprenticeships
Higher Education CAO (Undergraduate)
Higher Education courses at Levels 6 to 8 on the NFQ, delivered in Universities and Technological Universities & Institutes. Courses run from 2 – 5 years and places are allocated on a points-based system, processed by the Central Application Office.
Example search terms include: TV, film production, communication, arts, media.
Search for CAO Courses
Higher Education (Postgraduate)
Postgraduate courses are courses at Levels 9 and 10 on the NFQ and usually last 1 – 2 years full time, or longer if a PhD or part time. Entrants typically require an undergraduate award (Level 8).
Example search terms include: arts, media.
Search for Postgraduate Courses
Professional Development
Professional development (CPD) courses are specialised training, formal education, or advanced professional learning that improves skills, professional knowledge, competency, and overall effectiveness in the professional world.
IFTV Irish Film & Television For a list of TV/ Film production companies and Career roles
Check the Useful Contacts tab on this page to see if there are any professional bodies listed who may provide training related to this career.
Pay & Salary - Lighting Technician
Salary Range (thousands per year)* €28k - €50k
Salaries vary depending on medium and location. Salaries vary based on employer, location, experience, duties, and role.
Data Source(s):
Payscale/ Glassdoor/ Indeed/ Talent/ Excel/ WRC
Last Updated: March, 2024
Labour Market Updates - Lighting Technician
Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Artists; Authors; writers; translators; Actors; entertainers; presenters; Dancers; choreographers; Musicians Arts officers; producers; directors; Photographers; audio-visual and broadcasting equipment operators; Graphic designers Product; clothing and related designers.
This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).
Employment grew strongly between 2021 and 2022, with an additional 7,300 persons employed. As illustrated in the CSO Census data below, employment is spread across a number of roles; since 2016, the strongest growth, in absolute terms, was for graphic designers and authors, writers and translators.
New employment permits issued for this occupation in 2022 were primarily for film/TV and animation/visual effects (VFX) roles but also for linguistics experts in the ICT sector. There was also a high volume of recent job hires in line with the recent employment increase. The data does not point to overall issues with recruitment for these roles.
Useful Contacts - Lighting Technician
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Abbey Theatre
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National Theatre of Ireland
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Association of Irish Stage Technicians (AIST)
- Dunmaise Arts Centre, Church Street, Portlaoise, Co. Laois, Ireland
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- [email protected]
- Click Here
