Tour Stage Technician

🎯 Role Definition

A Tour Stage Technician is the backbone of any touring production. More than just a crew member, you are a skilled artisan, a problem-solver, and a road warrior rolled into one. Your domain is the stage, and your mission is to ensure that all technical elements—sound, lighting, video, and staging—are set up, operated, and torn down with precision, safety, and efficiency. This role demands technical expertise, physical stamina, and a remarkable ability to thrive in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment. You'll travel from city to city, transforming empty venues into immersive experiences, night after night.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Local Stagehand
AV Technician (Corporate/Hotel)
Theater Technician
Music Venue Staff

Advancement To:

Lead Technician (e.g., Lead Audio, Lead Lighting)
Production Manager
Technical Director
Tour Manager

Lateral Moves:

Corporate Event Technician
Broadcast Engineer
Film/TV Set Technician

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Actively participate in the comprehensive load-in and load-out of all production equipment from trucks, including staging, audio, lighting, video, and backline gear.
Assemble and construct the stage, trussing, and rigging systems according to detailed plots and schematics, ensuring structural integrity and adherence to safety standards.
Methodically run, connect, and patch extensive networks of cables for power, audio signals (analog and digital), video feeds, and data/control systems across the performance area.
Set up, configure, and thoroughly test all departmental equipment, such as line array speakers, digital mixing consoles, moving head lighting fixtures, and high-resolution LED video walls.
Assist department heads in focusing lighting fixtures, tuning the main PA system, and aligning video projectors or screens to meet the specific requirements of each unique venue.
Operate a specific technical system during the performance as assigned, such as a follow spot, on-stage camera, or a playback system, executing all cues with split-second precision.
Perform consistent equipment maintenance, cleaning, and conduct routine operational checks to ensure all gear is in optimal working condition throughout the entire length of the tour.
Rapidly identify, troubleshoot, and resolve complex technical malfunctions or equipment failures quickly and effectively, often under immense time pressure during a live show.
Adhere strictly to all established safety protocols and procedures, including the proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE), fall arrest systems, and safe lifting techniques.
Work closely with and provide proactive support to various departments (audio, lighting, video, backline, rigging) to ensure a cohesive and fully integrated production.
Maintain a clean, safe, and meticulously organized backstage and on-stage work environment to ensure efficiency and prevent hazards.
Execute precise and often complex set changes and scenic movements during the performance, frequently in low-light conditions, ensuring seamless transitions between show elements.
Interface professionally with local venue staff and stagehands, providing clear direction and expert supervision during the strenuous load-in and load-out phases.
Manage and maintain a detailed inventory of consumables, spare parts, and specialized tools specific to your department's needs.
Prepare and pack delicate and heavy equipment into custom road cases with care at the conclusion of each show, ensuring it is secure and ready for transport to the next city.

Secondary Functions

Assist with driving tour vehicles, such as cargo vans or small box trucks, as needed and provided you are properly licensed and insured.
Participate in production meetings and advance calls to understand the technical, logistical, and staffing needs for upcoming shows and venues.
Help manage the strategic loading and organization of production trucks to ensure a logical and efficient load-in process at the next destination.
Create and maintain accurate technical documentation, such as input lists, patch sheets, or maintenance logs for your assigned department.
Provide general support to the Production and Tour Managers with on-site logistics, problem-solving, and other ad-hoc tasks as they arise.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Deep proficiency in signal flow for professional audio, video, and lighting systems, including troubleshooting from source to destination.
Strong working knowledge of stage rigging principles, industry-standard hardware, and safety standards (e.g., knowledge of shackles, spansets, and chain motor control).
Proven experience with live event power distribution, including 3-phase power tie-ins, load calculation, and distro management.
The ability to read, interpret, and execute tasks based on complex technical drawings, such as lighting plots, stage plots, and riser diagrams.
Hands-on experience with soldering and basic electronic repair for making on-the-fly cable and equipment fixes in the field.
Familiarity with digital audio networking protocols (e.g., Dante, AVB) and lighting control networks (e.g., Art-Net, sACN).
Competency in operating specific production equipment relevant to a department (e.g., GrandMA or Hog consoles, DiGiCo or Yamaha audio desks, Barco projectors, or Disguise media servers).

Soft Skills

Exceptional problem-solving skills, especially the ability to diagnose and resolve complex technical issues under high-pressure, live show conditions.
Strong teamwork and interpersonal skills, with the proven ability to live and work constructively and harmoniously with a diverse group of people for extended periods.
A high level of adaptability and mental flexibility to handle frequent schedule changes, travel disruptions, and wildly varied working environments.
Excellent communication skills for conveying technical information clearly and concisely to both technical and non-technical colleagues, artists, and management.
A profound sense of resilience and a relentlessly positive attitude to cope with long hours, physical demands, and the unique challenges of life on the road.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High School Diploma or GED.

Preferred Education:

Vocational certificate or Associate's Degree in a relevant technical field.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Live Production & Design
Theatre Technology
Audio Engineering
Music Business with a technical focus

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 2-5 years of professional experience in a hands-on role within live event production.

Preferred: Prior experience on a regional or national tour is highly desirable. Experience working in a variety of venue types, including theaters, arenas, and outdoor festivals, is a significant plus.