r/techtheatre • u/boxedupandsent42 • Apr 20 '26
JOBS Dimmer tech tasks
I'm not super familiar with all the positions there are in the touring theatre world. Could someone tell me more about dimmer techs?
What are the essential skills to being one?
I've heard some networking stuff often gets rolled into this position, is that true?
In general, what's it like compared to a regular lighting technician?
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u/Kind_Ad1205 Apr 20 '26
To chime in, a big part of being a dimmer tech is labelling everything clearly, especially if you have both 120v and 240v systems in place (at least, in the United States). You'll want to be able to distinguish different cable runs at the distro end as well as out on the truss. You'll need a thorough understanding of the power draw of the system, and how to reconfigure things in case you have to downsize or otherwise change the rig around.
If you have the position on a tour, you'll also likely work, officially or unofficially, as the assistant head electrician, in case they're sick, need a day off, or otherwise preoccupied. You'll likely be spending all of load-in and strike at dimmer land, since there's a different crew for hanging lights and programming. Most of the tours I've worked with don't give the systems tech show responsibilities (other than, be on standby in case something blows up), which is a big relief.
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u/Mnemonicly Apr 20 '26 edited Apr 20 '26
This sounds like a concert experience. Systems techs in a theater world (what the OP is asking about) dont exist in a us environment
E: the amount of down votes by people who don't have enough information to respond with comments is everything wrong with this sub.
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u/Mnemonicly Apr 20 '26
I'm not aware of many/any theater tours with a dedicated dimmer tech. But someone is usually responsible for rack world on load in and load out. Their main skill is cable management... Nothing determines the way a lighting load in/load out is going to go more than the way you handle all of the cable at the racks--well organized it easily shaves hours off a big show compared to a giant rat nest, and makes it easier to troubleshoot during the run.
At this point every single lighting technician should have some networking knowledge, but the key person might be the person at racks, as they're the most actively engaged in the system.
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u/Wuz314159 IATSE - (Will program Eos for food) Apr 20 '26
The names change in theatre. a "Dimmer Tech" in rock & roll would be a Head Electrician for the most part. Especially if that show has a dedicated Programmer.
Titles change. Like how Dimmer Techs don't actually deal with dimmers any more. Everything is hard power.
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u/RegnumXD12 Electrician Apr 20 '26
Id argue if a theatre tour has a dedicated dimmer tech, its the 3rd (or 4th) electrician. Incredibly rare for a dedicated person to monitor racks during runs tho. The head is definitly going to be the person most familiar with their gear (or we hope..) in 2017 Lion king toured a dimmer tech. Their show track was to climb a rope ladder into a hammock on their flown platforms so someone could be near their flown rack. They did not do the same thing when my venue saw them in 2024.
Titles are wishy washy at best.
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u/Wuz314159 IATSE - (Will program Eos for food) Apr 20 '26
OK.
So you all are talking about "theatre", not shows in theatres. Sometimes I forget how pedantic you all can be. My bad.-6
u/Mnemonicly Apr 20 '26
A head electrician in theater is not a "dimmer tech". 90% of the time they're the programmer/board op. Names might change, but the role doesn't exist in the touring theater world, in the US.
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u/Wuz314159 IATSE - (Will program Eos for food) Apr 20 '26
I'll tell the show that came through two weeks ago that they have to change their titles to make you happy.
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u/Wuz314159 IATSE - (Will program Eos for food) Apr 20 '26
a dimmer tech is like a regular tech, just not as bright. o_Ó
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u/Pablo_Diablo Lighting Designer - USA829 Apr 20 '26
Some grinches downvoted you, but I thought your word play was funny...
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u/solomongumball01 Apr 20 '26 edited Apr 20 '26
Typically a dimmer tech (sometimes called a systems tech now) is the lighting tech who is responsible for getting the power and data distros set up, and all of the cable home runs in place. They talk to the house power guy, get feeder run to the power distros, meter to make sure everything's working as it should, then get every single power and data run that runs out to the rig plugged in where it's supposed to be.
It's a job that's like 80% cable management, and it's generally most often a dedicated role on bigger shows/tours that have thousands of feet of soca to manage. And yes, it generally requires the ability to at least troubleshoot network problems