This is the blog of a humble nailbanger, just a stagehand trying to make a day’s pay.
What does a stagehand do? We are responsible for most of what goes on behind the scenes: we prepare the theaters and studios, we load in, build, and light the scenery. We prepare the rigging and operate the spotlights, and as you’re watching the show, we’re making all the moves, switching the scenery, flying the drops in and out, changing the lighting.
Been to Wicked? Seen the flying monkeys? Stagehands are on the other end of the rope, making sure the actors are safe. When scenery moves, stagehands are at the bottom, or are operating the motors that we built and rigged.
Stagehands are the first to enter the theater to turn on the lights, and the last to leave at night. We work 10, 15 hours a day, six or seven days a week behind the scenes on Broadway and in film and television.