The Organization
The Lincoln Theatre is a cultural icon that is committed to transforming the lives of diverse communities through the joy of multi-ethnic, multi-generational, and multi-purpose arts and education. The mission of the Lincoln Theatre Association is to serve as the steward of the historic landmark theatre, as an incubator for talented, emerging artists in our community, as a presenter of the highest quality artists from around the world, and as a creative partner that is an economic catalyst for the revitalization of the King-Lincoln District and downtown Columbus.
The Opportunity
- Are you a dependable, safety-minded production professional who enjoys hands-on work and takes pride in helping a stage become show-ready?
- Can you work efficiently during load-ins, stage setups, rehearsals, changeovers, strikes, and load-outs while protecting people, equipment, and the historic venue?
- Do you follow direction well, communicate clearly, and collaborate with audio, lighting, video, scenic, stage-management, and visiting production teams?
- Would you value supporting a historic community theatre in an event-driven role that requires reliable evening, weekend, holiday, and variable call-time availability?
Primary Function
The Lincoln Theatre Association seeks a dependable, safety-minded Stagehand to support rehearsals, performances, rentals, educational programming, load-ins, load-outs, and special events in the Lincoln Theatre and its associated event spaces. This hands-on, fully on-site position supports the Technical Director, Stage Manager, crew leads, visiting production personnel, artists, renters, and designated partners in delivering safe, efficient, and professional event execution.
The Stagehand assists with unloading and loading production vehicles; moving, staging, assembling, and striking equipment; preparing stage and backstage areas; completing production changeovers; restoring rooms after events; and providing basic support to audio, lighting, video, scenic, and stage-management functions as assigned. Duties vary by production. The Stagehand may not operate rigging, electrical, lift, or other specialized systems unless appropriately trained, authorized, and directly assigned by production leadership.
Duties, Responsibilities, and Key Performance Objectives
- Call Preparation and Production Communication
- Communicate regularly with the Technical Director, Stage Manager, crew lead, or other designated production leadership regarding call times, assignments, schedules, access, equipment needs, risks, and late-breaking changes.
- Review available call sheets, stage plots, run-of-show documents, setup diagrams, cue sheets, production notes, and venue instructions before or at the beginning of the assigned call.
- Arrive by the published call time dressed and equipped for the assignment, including required workwear and personal protective equipment.
- Ask questions when an assignment, sequence, load path, equipment condition, or safety requirement is unclear, and immediately report conflicts or unsafe conditions to authorized production leadership.
- Load-In, Stage Setup, and Changeovers
- Receive, unload, move, stage, and load production equipment through approved access points using safe lifting techniques, team lifts, carts, ramps, and mechanical assistance when assigned and trained.
- Assist with setting and striking risers, platforms, tables, chairs, music stands, drape, dance floor, cable ramps, stage hardware, simple scenic elements, props, and other event equipment according to the approved production plan.
- Provide basic support to audio, lighting, video, and scenic departments by moving cases, placing stands, running and dressing cable, positioning equipment, and completing other tasks within the Stagehand's training and assigned authority.
- Complete stage and room changeovers accurately and within the time established by production leadership, while protecting equipment, finishes, fire-curtain paths, aisles, exits, and other life-safety areas.
- Maintain an orderly loading dock, backstage, wing, stage, storage, and work area so that travel paths remain clear and equipment can be located, moved, and secured efficiently.
- Rehearsal and Performance Support
- Take direction and cues from the Stage Manager, Technical Director, crew lead, or other designated production leader and execute assigned presets, moves, changes, and resets accurately.
- Support rehearsals and performances by moving props, scenic pieces, instruments, stands, furniture, cables, or production equipment as assigned and by maintaining quiet, disciplined backstage operations.
- Remain attentive to the production, assigned communication channel, cue sequence, and backstage traffic so that changes can be completed safely without disrupting performers, patrons, or other departments.
- Monitor assigned equipment and work areas for loose cables, unstable items, blocked egress, damage, missing components, spills, trip hazards, or other unsafe conditions and report or correct them within assigned authority.
- Do not alter rigging, electrical distribution, lighting focus, audio routing, video configuration, scenic attachment, or other specialized systems without authorization from the responsible department lead.
- Strike, Load-Out, Reset, and Equipment Stewardship
- Complete assigned strike and load-out tasks in the sequence established by production leadership, including dismantling, packing, labeling, staging, and loading equipment for safe transport.
- Return theatre equipment, tools, carts, hardware, cables, accessories, furniture, and supplies to their assigned storage locations and immediately report missing, damaged, or malfunctioning items.
- Restore the stage, wings, backstage rooms, loading dock, ballroom, storage areas, and other assigned spaces to the approved condition before release from the call.
- Assist with approved routine cleaning, inspection, inventory, battery replacement, cable management, minor non-specialized maintenance, and preparation of equipment for the next production.
- Document or communicate completed work, unusual conditions, damage, accidents, near misses, equipment concerns, and unfinished items to the Technical Director or designated supervisor before leaving the site.
- Safety, Conduct, and Organizational Representation
- Follow Lincoln Theatre/CAPA safety rules, emergency procedures, loading-dock requirements, fire and egress protections, manufacturer instructions, and directions from authorized supervisors.
- Use proper lifting, team-lift, ladder, fall-protection, tool, cable, cart, and equipment-handling practices appropriate to the assignment and stop work when a condition appears unsafe.
- Represent the Lincoln Theatre in the best possible light through punctuality, reliability, respectful communication, professional conduct, confidentiality, teamwork, and appropriate dress.
- Perform other related production, setup, event-support, maintenance, and operational duties as assigned.
The following milestones describe the expected progression for an employee who receives appropriate orientation, assignments, and access to venue systems. Specific timing may be adjusted by the Technical Director based on event volume, call frequency, and production complexity.
- First 30 Days
- Complete required onboarding, safety, emergency-response, backstage-access, timekeeping, communication, loading-dock, equipment-handling, and workplace-conduct orientation.
- Learn the venue's stage, backstage, loading-dock, storage, ballroom, support-space, and emergency routes; standard stage and room configurations; commonly used equipment; and reporting procedures.
- Shadow or support assigned calls and demonstrate the ability to follow call times, production documents, supervisor direction, department boundaries, and change-control procedures.
- Demonstrate safe lifting, team-lift, cart, ladder, cable-management, stage-setup, strike, storage, and room-reset practices appropriate to assigned tasks.
- First 90 Days
- Perform routine load-ins, stage setups, changeovers, strikes, load-outs, and resets with limited supervision while meeting published production deadlines.
- Accurately interpret common call sheets, stage plots, setup diagrams, run-of-show documents, and verbal assignments to prepare standard stage and room configurations.
- Consistently identify and escalate damaged equipment, missing items, blocked egress, unstable loads, trip hazards, unsupported requests, and other operational or safety concerns.
- Consistently arrive ready to work by the published call time and provide timely communication regarding availability, delays, scheduling conflicts, or conditions that may affect the assignment.
- First 6 Months
- Serve as a dependable crew member across routine theatre, ballroom, rental, educational, and special-event calls, including time-sensitive changeovers and post-event resets.
- Provide competent basic support to audio, lighting, video, scenic, and stage-management departments while respecting department leadership, equipment limits, and assigned authority.
- Maintain theatre and visiting equipment without preventable loss or damage and contribute practical recommendations for inventory, storage, workflow, maintenance, documentation, or safety improvements.
- Demonstrate professional collaboration with coworkers, visiting crews, artists, renters, volunteers, and other partners in busy, changing, and deadline-driven production environments.
- First Year
- Demonstrate reliable stagehand support across a representative range of concerts, theatre, dance, film, spoken-word, corporate, community, educational, and rental-event formats.
- Contribute to updated setup diagrams, stagehand checklists, equipment inventories, storage standards, preventive-maintenance practices, and onboarding support for new or occasional crew members.
- Complete assigned venue, ladder, fall-protection, equipment-handling, rigging-awareness, emergency-response, or other relevant training and apply that learning during live production work.
- Meet established performance expectations for safety, attendance, communication, teamwork, task completion, customer service, production readiness, and stewardship of theatre resources.
- Other Duties and Scheduling Expectations
- This is a fully on-site, event-driven position. Remote work is not available for assigned rehearsals, performances, load-ins, load-outs, stage setups, strikes, changeovers, maintenance calls, emergencies, or schedule changes.
- The employee may be asked to provide occasional short-notice or emergency coverage based on production needs and availability. Call and release times may change as events develop, and conflicts must be communicated promptly.
- This job description is not designed to cover or contain an exhaustive list of duties, responsibilities, or performance objectives. Duties may change, and new job-related responsibilities may be assigned from time to time.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Working knowledge of stagehand, theatre, live-event, or production-crew practices, including load-ins, load-outs, stage setups, strikes, changeovers, and room resets.
- Basic understanding of audio, lighting, video, scenic, props, staging, drape, cable, hardware, and other theatrical production equipment and workflows.
- Ability to safely move, carry, assemble, dismantle, pack, secure, and store production equipment; recognize common hazards; maintain clear aisles and exits; and use appropriate tools, carts, team lifts, and protective practices.
- Ability to read and apply call sheets, stage plots, setup diagrams, run-of-show documents, cue sheets, labels, inventories, and venue procedures.
- Ability to follow direction accurately, respect the production chain of command, remain within assigned authority, and work cooperatively as part of a production crew.
- Clear verbal communication, active listening, situational awareness, customer service, and professional judgment in backstage and public-facing environments.
- Ability to work calmly and efficiently under pressure, adjust to changing priorities, and complete time-sensitive tasks without compromising safety or quality.
- Ability to organize equipment and work areas, maintain accurate counts, protect venue and visiting property, and promptly report damage, shortages, or incomplete work.
Credentials and Experience
- Must be at least 18 years of age.
- High school diploma, GED, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant work experience.
- Minimum of one year of documented stagehand, theatre, live-event, or production experience required.
- Documented familiarity with load-ins, load-outs, stage setups, strikes, and changeovers required.
- Basic understanding of audio, lighting, video, scenic, or theatrical production equipment required.
- Demonstrated ability to safely move and handle production equipment, follow direction, and work effectively as part of a production crew required.
- Theatre, concert, dance, touring, performing arts, corporate event, worship, broadcast/live-stream, or comparable live-event experience preferred.
- Applicants must provide a resume and references, production credits, employment verification, or comparable documentation sufficient to verify the required experience.
- Base pay for this role: is $19-21/hr
Physical and Work Environment Requirements
- Ability to walk, stand, and sit for extended periods and to move repeatedly between the loading dock, stage, wings, backstage, storage, ballroom, lobby, and support areas.
- Ability to climb stairs and ladders; bend, kneel, crouch, reach, push, pull, and lift and carry up to 50 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.
- Ability to safely move larger or awkward production items using team lifts, carts, ramps, dollies, or mechanical assistance when required and authorized.
- Ability to work in dimly lit, loud, crowded, warm, dusty, elevated, and time-sensitive live-event environments, including at heights or in confined backstage areas when trained, authorized, and assigned, and to use required personal protective equipment.
Special Requirements
- Successful background check.
- Reliable transportation is required for this position.
- Candidates within approximately 30-60 miles of the theatre are preferred because the role may require short-notice reporting. Candidates outside the radius may be considered if they demonstrate reliable transportation and timely reporting.
- Dependable availability for evenings, weekends, holidays, rehearsals, performances, load-ins, load-outs, stage setups, strikes, schedule changes, and occasional emergency coverage.
- Compliance with CAPA/Lincoln Theatre policies, production procedures, safety requirements, confidentiality expectations, timekeeping rules, and supervisor direction.
- The majority of CAPA’s public events take place at night and on weekends. This position requires occasional presence on-site during nights and weekends.
The Lincoln Theatre Association is an Equal Opportunity Employer. CAPA does not discriminate in its employment decisions on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, pregnancy, lactation status, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran or military status, genetic information, or any other protected status.??
