Stage Hand Basics

Issued by Tech 25

Start here and learn the basic skills you need to participate in our event production classes. These include wrapping cables, safely setting up tripods and stands, mounting speakers and monitors, and moving road cases. Further activities include teamwork, communication, and exploring aspects of the event production industry. By the end, you will be able to setup a small PA systems using powered monitors, a microphone and a laptop for stereo sound.

Type Learning
Level Foundational
Time N/A
Cost Paid

Skills

Earning Criteria

Work Ethic: gloves, flashlight, sharpie, multi-tool, footwear, clothing, pockets, pants and shirts. Food, First Aid Kit, weather preparedness, 911 protocols. Showing up on time, introducing yourself, checking in with team leaders.
Stage Directions: clearly communicate and receive instructions for positions like stage left, stage right, upstage, downstage, off-stage, on-stage etc. Effectively communicate with terminology “comin’ in” “turning off” “going up” “going down” etc. Understand backstage, FOH. Spike / Strike / Call time / Load-in / Load-Out.
Steps of Building a Show: Physical object placement. Electric power placement and connection. Audio and Data cables routing and connections. Soundcheck - Tech Rehearsal.
Cables: identify the different types. Rolling cables over-under (all sizes). Locate various lengths by color, ID the correct tubs for cable types and lengths. Adaptors - ID and recognize types of splitters, etc. TS - TRS. Names. Audio, Video, Lighting, power.
Stands & Road Cases. Setup mic stands and speaker stands. Correctly secure positioning brackets & screws, leveling, balance, correct usage of all stands in action.
Warehouse Equipment: Move gear using dollies and hand truck in action with correct lifting practices. Traverse ramps and bumps. Operate butterfly latches (flight locks), locking casters, road cases, trunks, tubs / bins and lids. Use ratchet straps on a stack of chairs. Identify gaff tape vs. duct tape and correctly tape down cables on stage.
Electric Power: safety - what to touch and what NEVER to touch.
Using Audio Equipment: Reset a powered speaker to default, IEC, place on stands safely. X-Y position. Plugin and connect a small analog mixer to the speakers using XLR cables. Connect an SM58 mic to the mixer. Connect a stereo audio source using a 1/8 stereo mini plug split to two 1/4" TS plugs. The instructor will manage gain staging and signal flow.