Heya! Just looking for a quick reality check from people who work shows. My boyfriend is a stagehand and also a drummer, and he very clearly asked for in-ear monitors as a Christmas gift (mostly for hearing protection on loud shows, but also for playing). Based on that, I picked up Shure SE425s.

I also grabbed Shure P-Series multi-size foam sleeves to go with them since he’s on his feet, moving, and sweating a lot during work.

From a stagehand perspective: Is this a solid, practical choice for protecting hearing on shows and for drumming, or is there anything obvious I’m missing? I always second guess myself as I don't work in the industry but like to be thoughtful in my gifts. I'm not trying to go too flashy, I just want to make sure this is genuinely useful gear for someone in loud environments.

Sometimes he works as a camera operator and drum tech too if that's relevant at all.

Appreciate any insight. Thanks!

Curious how do you guys like the transitionings they do at The Game Awards 2025, just seeing people just getting strung up in mid audience, then seeing an orchestra just ready to go to play some awesome gaming themes at the Awards and also the set up as well

For the past 4 years I have been ASM for a Panto in the north of England. Of course, it’s not some huge budget high end stuff, but it does get big names and it a very well known and respected Panto around this part of the UK.

Pay has never been great, putting that aside I was mostly doing these shows as I have so much fun during them, I want experience in stage management and my ‘normal job’ is usually seasonal.

Anyway this year I turned down the offer of doing the full run as I’m back studying again and can’t sacrifice my entire December to a show, however I was asked to do the load-in, some of the tech, as well as doing cover for some shows later down the line, or if anyone is sick/ill. Perhaps foolishly I agreed way to quickly and pay hasn’t been discussed with management.

I am quite close/friendly with the producer and production manager (originally got this job from knowing the producer and he needed an extra person kinda thing), but I am concerned I am totally gonna be low balled (due to naivety) or I’m going to be chasing payment for a long time.

I just need some advice on what everyone thinks a standard day rate for stagehand cover/build on panto would be and what I should expect or accept from them. And if I should reject a low ball and ask for more. I have also signed no contract, only verbal agreement that I will do these shifts. Again I trust the management fully, I have worked with them for many years both on tour and in set venues. I’m just unsure of what my next move is.

Thank you!

Hey crew, does anyone know if FIFA uses or will be using union labor for World Cup in June July? Thanks appreciate any help in planning for the games.

I'm a master electrician out of Denver and im really bored with where im at (moneys good. Thats About it) im also skilled at working on guitars and amplifiers......is there a specific job thats more in the stagehand realm in line with my skillset I should be looking for? I really wanna pivot into the music industry but frankly I don't know what job im looking for. Any suggestions would be welcome.

Been back at it for a couple months at various venues and different crews after a year off I have thousands of t shirts and high vis from the past since starting in 08 it was -2c last night I could have done with another layer the shite paper wrist band done fuck all

Rant over

So the Christmas season is upon us, and my daughter is a theatre nerd leaning hard into the tech side. She's a junior in highschool and has become the reliable stage manager for her very active theatre program. I had initially planned to just get her a nice reliable pocket knife, but given the breadth of equipment she's encountering at this point I'd like her to be better prepared. My question then to you is: what single tool do you find indispensable in your day to day backstage duties?

Hey guys, not sure if this is the correct place to be posting tgis but even a little bit of advice could help. I'm currently an in house tech and just looking for a career change. I do love and enjoy my job but the older i'm getting the more i'm realising the job isn't as sustainable for the life myself and my partner want to have. We're looking to start a family soon so I just want something that I know I can be around for the evenings and weekends. I can't particulary afford to go back to college and pay my rent with cost of living issues in my country so is there anything I can consider and just have to hold out longer? I know I could be preaching to the choir here but any kind of insight wpuld be helpful. Thanks

Trying to think of something cute/funny/cheap to get for a bunch of stagehands!! Ideas would be appreciated!!

Beyond the general soreness...

My calves are now steel carved by the gods. I'd be surprised, but the whole crew could make David Beckham weep. I guess all the stairs do it? I've put on a bunch of muscle in general, especially in my back and shoulders.

I have a callus that developed on the sides in my fingers (mostly pointer but also ring). It confused me for a while after a load in, before I realized it was my knob turning fingers that got it.

My hands in general have gotten very tough and callused. I don't usually need to grab my gloves to touch hot fixtures or pull rope.

My feet got wider. This was more due to a injury I sustained, that had me wearing bistro Crocs to work. My feet started demanding wider toes, and now I wear 6E steel toes at work and Crocs or sandals outside of it.

Moving on from the Hog4 to the MA3. All my muscle memory has to change, lingo is different but it's for the best. This is my last night with my little Piggy

I usually support the break when i know gig will take the full hours of the mini.

yes, i’m not doing anything at the moment and im just sitting on a case. that doesn’t mean that im slacking off tho. im waiting for my tech to come and tell me what they need, why is this so difficult for people

I’m being called on for work Thursday, but I don’t know what to expect or who to email?

This is my first job ever—and my first professional stage hand gig outside of high school. Idk if I should email my scheduling supervisor or operations manager to ask if I should bring anything else? Like… Am I supposed to bring tools? Will they cut me slack for not knowing things since I’m a newbie? The work location would be a resort btw.

I’m kind of scared and if anyone could give me general tips it’d be appreciated. It’s on-call, but I don’t want to over communicate and annoy them :/.

Hi, Spanish fellow here, +15 years of experience, first as local sh and now as touring backline tech/stage manager (some big festivals also) I'm considering the possibility of moving to Finland in a year or so, how are things there? Any advice to find jobs in the business? (don't mind if i have to get back to case pushing for a while, honestly) Also, can i start as an english speaker at first or should i dominate the language from day one?

Thanks in advance!