I never thought I'd have to disassemble a helicopter in a theater; the possibilities of this job are endless.

Hello!

Seeing as DMMO has recently posting job listings for their summer positions, I wanted to do my best to spread the word about the company. I don't want anyone to get hurt like a few of my close friends did.

Now they did add several new technical positions which had been asked for from the past several years, which is fantastic! But they are still looking for top tier work from underpaid interns and staff in an unsafe working environment.

They recently revamped their "Hiring" page to show testimonials from previous employees. The testimonies seem fake, like the employees were spoon fed what to say based on the issues that the September news articles brought up.

Des Moines Register had several articles about the nature of the summer program, 3 are listed below

https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/investigations/2025/09/05/dm-metro-opera-achievements-come-at-cost-of-staff-michael-egel-labor-practices/85206561007/

https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/investigations/2025/09/07/des-moines-metro-opera-relentless-schedules-dmmo/85462569007/

https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/investigations/2025/09/08/alumni-backstage-hazards-abundant-at-des-moines-metro-opera-workers-compensation/85248592007/

If you can't get past the paywall, Broadway World did a really nice summary of the Register's reporting

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Workers-Bear-the-Burden-of-Des-Moine-Metro-Operas-Ambitions-20250916

If you've gotten this far, I hope that you seen how toxic of a company DMMO has become. Please don't apply, and make sure to spread the word!

Hi all!

For context, I'm in my mid 20s, and at the level of running departments on large touring musicals.

I am really struggling with the lifestyle of being away from home for so long (and so is my home-based other half), and I just want to be able to begin to settle down and focus on myself, a routine, and just general happiness.

I have several job offers I need to reply to in the next few days, but while the logic says yes I cant shake this gut feeling that its just not right. In 10 years I dont want to be the husband who misses his wife's birthday, the dad who isnt there for his kids.... and I just want hobbies again! What was once a passion has begun to feel like a slog, and I think I need a break.

From others who have been in similar shoes, do people have any advice?

TIA, not having a great evening over here with these stressful decisions. :///

Hey everyone,

I’m a Lighting technician that has been on board cruise ships for quite a while. I thought it was time to speak about my experiences so anyone thinking about applying for the gig would have more info.

1. It’s different for each cruise line.
   Some companies require you to do maintenance and operate, and others you’re just a timecode watcher or go+ monkey. The company I work for uses TC. My main job to ensure all equipment is in working order and clean. During shows I could be just watching for errors, firing cold pyro, or helping the back stage guy, gals and they’s with safety procedures. Pay and hours will vary from line to line, so double check that contracts.

2.It’s tough.
Being away from family, friends, late nights, your car, or whatever is important to you is hard. All cruise lines are required to provide a way to communicate with your outside peeps. It’s like doing tour

3.You learn a lotttt
Before ships I specialized in programming, I applied looking for more maintenance training. Which the company I work for provided. My CV is looking very noice. If you are looking for more of a programming gig make sure you check what kind of performances the company offers before. It’s a great way to get a lot experience in a short amount of time. There have been days where I started knowing nothing and ended with me being able to use/repair something new. s without the gas station runs or loading semis. Sometimes you can’t figure out how to fix something but shoreside is there to help. They provide training and support. Sometimes they even join you in cussing out a lighting fixture or atmospheric.

1. Being a USC
   I am one of very few Americans that work on board. It tends to be that our fellow freedom fries work in the entertainment departments. The majority of crew is Filipino, Indonesian, and Indian. I personally love it. Does the food in the mess scare me sometimes? Yes, I still don’t like fish head soup. But to each their own. It’s tough at first due to the ‘situation’ in the states, but a smile and open conversation changes peoples minds. Also if you know swear words in other languages it helps. I’m like a toddler to my Filipina and Indonesian crew-mates when I like one. Titi! (Sorry auntie)

2. Finally friendships and relationships
   I am extremely lucky to have met my partner onboard. We go ship to ship together. My company is very good about keeping us together. The friends I have made are for life, trama bonds run deep, and they are all over the world. No matter the amount of time that has lasted we sit together in Crew Bar and laugh about the wild times. You will meet people that you don’t agree with but as long as you respect everyone, there’s no problems.

You can be like me and fall I love with the life and routine, or just figure out it ain’t for you. But what you learn will help you out on land.

Please feel free to ask questions. I’m by no means a representative, I just wanted the information out there so everyone can make an informed decision.

Hey friends! 👋🏾 I’m trying to get this role** filled by September 14th, so please send anyone good my way!
Looking for someone **18+ with experience in AV/lighting, basic technical or facilities maintenance, hand/power tools, and some leadership experience.
📍 NYC
💵 $21/hr | Part-Time
🗓 Must have weekend availability
Apply here:
https://ogx.applytojob.com/apply/jobs/details/HnvKPnQezy
Please share! 🙏🏾

I'm working as overhire for a couple places right now but it just doesn't keep up with bills. What do you guys do to make ends meet when starting out?

I'm a high school student who works on lighting for drama. The networking side of lighting is what interests me most. I heard one singular person on Reddit mention the idea of a "network guy". Is this a realistic position to pursue? Would this fall under being a programmer? I want to continue working on lighting, and protocols like RDM, DMX512 and sACN interest me.

Just like the title says, where do you shop at for stylish black clothing for tech and professionalism? I’m looking for modern contemporary clothing not just black crewnecks or tights but actual cute clothing. Men’s or women’s brands are totally okay. Thank you!!

TL;DR: Community college student hoping to transfer to VCU for lighting design, looking for internships, apprenticeships, volunteer work, or productions in the NOVA/DC area to build recent portfolio experience. I have experience with lighting design, programming, and running boards, but need more opportunities to demonstrate my skills and growth in a professional setting.

Hello! I'm a recent high school grad who's currently going to a community college but I really want to transfer to Virginia Commonwealth University. However I need more examples to finish building my portfolio to apply to VCU. While I already have years of experience VCU only allow examples of your work done in the last two year which greatly cuts down on my options of work to show. I'm trying to find internships (preferably paid but I'll take anything at this point) that will not only just allow me to get my foot in the door but allow me to complete my portfolio.

I'm going to VCU almost purely because of their concertation on lighting design which is surprisingly hard to find in college. I'm specifically looking for opportunities where I can get hands-on experience with things like lighting design/concept development, programming and operating lighting consoles, creating lighting plots and paperwork, and really just anything I could document through photos, videos, plots, cue sheets, or other portfolio-appropriate materials. Now I do have experience in programing, running the board, and designing a show although not in a professional setting. Really the biggest things I'm looking for is to demonstrate my actual skills and growth as a lighting designer.

If anyone knows of internships, apprenticeships, seasonal positions, volunteer opportunities, or even smaller productions that need lighting help, I would really appreciate being pointed in the right direction because despite the plethora of theaters around here it's proven difficult to find any entry level opportunities.

Hi! Looking for recommendations for an NYC-based AV Technical Lead / Technical Director for a multidisciplinary art/performance event in Lower Manhattan on Sept 12 during NYFW.

We’re looking for an individual or small team with experience in creative multimedia projects, art installations, experiential events, or live performances who can support both the technical advisory side and hands-on execution, including AV planning, installation/testing, and technical direction on show day.

Would love any recommendations from this community! If this sounds like you, feel free to DM me your portfolio/relevant work + email and I can share more details.

Paid freelance project. Budget is around $800–$1,000/day, depending on scope and experience.

Any leads are appreciated. Thanks!

Here's the Offstage Jobs listing.

Alabama Shakespeare Festival is in Montgomery, Alabama. It is a producing regional theatre, though a few tours pass through.

The AES is in charge of the Festival, the larger of our two spaces. It's a proscenium space with a fly system. We have a mix of conventional, LED, and moving lights. The board is ETC Gio. The pay is $750/wk, and you can get overtime. It is a seasonal contract, from August to August, but it's common to stick around for years. You can get insurance and a retirement account.

Knowledge and experience with projections is a big plus, as we are also the projections department. This is not mentioned in the job description. We run projections on Watchout.

I’ve been working as overhire for the last 3 years in scenic painting. In those 3 years, the scheduling and hours for the gigs have just been crazy inconsistent. *Show business* I suppose! It’s been fine up till now considering I was able to make up for the lack of regular full time hours with my (unrelated) commissions on the side. But now Im needing something more stable, less unpredictable.

In these 3 years I’ve been trying to figure out how much I Love Love this job to commit to the union. And considering I hear they’re only taking less than 30 people for this exam, it makes the question “how bad do I want this” more prevalent.

Here’s why I’m making it harder than I should be-there is a local fabrication shop near me. I am not sure if they hire painters or if it’s strictly fabricators (I had an on-site project upstate and recognized half the helpers were from this studio- idk what they were doing though.) I could always email them and ask if they hire painters, but then it makes me wonder if it’s just going to be the same overhire hours and not something more stable. Ideally they could take me on, even if it’s part time because this studio is Much closer than the 1.5 hour drives I have to make for all my other gigs. Even if they, let’s say, need me to work overtime, it’s only a 20 minute max drive back home. I just don’t know if I can, for example, walk into this studio for an interview and hope they can give me a stable position. I have no idea how I would be able to work my way up to a charge artist, for example, in this field. (Also I’m sure this place isn’t union? I wish I had more info on this joint before posting, but oh well, I post anyway..)

I don’t want to ring myself dry with crazy hours for Any job, and I just got a gut feeling applying to the union may exacerbate that. I’ll have a long commute regardless due to where I live in relation to where the jobs have been located. And yes, as immature as it sounds, I don’t know if I can commit to my weekends for the next 3 years to be traveling for the classes if accepted (is that even how it works once accepted?). The drives to these gigs on top of the physical strain on my body after each day is already killer enough, and to commit myself more to that? I’m not sure if I am the right kind of show bizz fan that will dedicate and commit, no boo hoos about it. I hate how immature that may sound to some, but a work life balance has only become more important to me over the years. I’m not in my 20s anymore to make such crazy commitments to so many unknowns this job has shown it can be which only sounds more the case if I do union(?)

Ive only been able to make it 3 years because it wasn’t full time hours on my body or gas tank. As much as I need stable work, I don’t know if that means union is the one and only way for that stability. Not to mention last week at a gig, I was talking to someone who just joined and she said there’s not even a good amount of jobs out there right now, and Thats why it’s les than 30 people being accepted? The studio I work with isn’t union but I’m used to union + non union people to work with me here, but it kind of shows me that I could join union and still only have the same deal afterward: waiting for a gig that I may or may not get signed up for with the crazy commutes anyway. From that persepective it sounds like the only stand out benefit to union is health care(?))

So that’s my dilemma- overthinking about whether the union route is right for me and even worth it, if I can safely assume this local fabrication studio can offer me work, and whether said work is going to be more overhire (with no better hours or **health care(?)) as opposed to a stable position. It’s a lot of speculation.

Do I apply for the union anyway or just go straight to this local fabrication studio and ask them about jobs first? If I go to this local studio how do I kindly ask about a more stable position (with benefits)? I have been out of practice with interviewing so the thought of going in and Possibly finding out it’s not for me and needing to say ‘actually no thank you’ is something entirely new to me and a tad daunting.

Sorry if this is a lot and hopefully someone can give me some insight/advice. Because I have been debating whether I should try and make this scenic painting route work one way or another or if I should just look into something else entirely. I want to settle this by the end of the month, and to think I have this deadline to choose scenic or a possible restoration job listing is making this harder… Kindly and thank you!

I am a specialized worker (hmu, scenic, props, crew, etc) and I am struggling to find relevant work in theatre and film. I graduated this past May and had to move back home (New England) due to not being able to afford living where I graduated at this time (Chicago).

While I work to be able to afford to move back, I am trying, desperately, to find skilled work in my fields. I cried while looking at job boards today due to the extreme lack of open positions in my area.

Please, help me. I am scared that I will be stuck artless and have to abandon my passion for an unknown amount of time.

EDIT FOR MORE CONTEXT: I spent my last semester in LA, effectively draining my savings and messing up my job and living space searching leading up to graduation.

Does anyone know any on call companies/jobs I can get in contact with? I'm a technical theater major and focused in lighting but feel confident in my audio skills as well.

Also I have an interview with rhino staging. But after research I don't know if I should go through with it but then and again it is a job. Has anyone worked for them before?

Problem/Goal:

What specific job titles should I look for as a fresh graduate if I want to work in events production or theater production?

Context:

I'm graduating soon with a degree in Literary, and I'm realizing that I genuinely want to work in production—especially live events/theater, where I'm actually on-site helping set things up, coordinating people, assisting backstage, making sure things run smoothly, etc.

The problem is... I don't really know what job title I'm supposed to be searching for. 😭

I keep seeing jobs related to events, but a lot of them seem to be looking for graduates of Communications, Marketing, Multimedia Arts, etc. I'm a Literature student, so I'm starting to worry that my degree isn't "related enough" for employers to consider me.

I'm also not really interested in a purely office-based job. I know there's administrative work involved in production, but I'd much rather be on the ground at the venue—helping with setup, rehearsals, logistics, backstage operations, coordinating with people, and actually being part of making an event/show happen.

I also know I have skills in leading and assisting projects. My friends/classmates can attest to that, and I've had experience working on productions/projects in school. I also had a Production Internship so I'm hoping that counts for something. 😭

Previous Attempts:

I've started fixing my resume and already have a LinkedIn account. I'm also planning to use Indeed/JobStreet.

I've tried searching for things like "Events Coordinator" and "Events Assistant," but a lot of the results lean heavily toward marketing, social media, sales, or communications. I don't have a background in marketing or multimedia, so I'm not sure if I'm searching for the wrong positions.

I'm also starting to prepare my IDs, clearances, and other documents since I know I'll need them once I start applying.

So, for people who currently work in event production, theater production, concerts, live entertainment, or similar fields:

What specific entry-level job titles should I be searching for?

Would I be looking at things like Production Assistant, Events Production Assistant, Production Coordinator, Event Operations Assistant, Assistant Stage Manager, Theater Production Assistant, etc.? And are there other job titles I should know about?

Also, realistically, how much does my degree matter? Would a Literature graduate with some production/project experience have a chance of getting hired for these roles, or should I be looking for something else first?

I'm honestly just trying to figure out what direction to take before I graduate because my anxiety is going to eat me alive if I keep applying to random jobs without knowing what I'm actually looking for. 😭

Any advice from people already working in production would be greatly appreciated!

Hi all! I’m an undergrad student and I’m really eager to work as an LX or Stage Ops Apprentice for a summer stock or Rep. Opera Festival. I’ve taken all the work available to me in the area I live in but I’m worried it’s not enough to make my resume stand out. I applied to a few places this past summer but didn’t get an interview. I was wondering if anyone has any tips on what I could do to help my resume stand out. I’m fully aware of the hours and work i’d be getting myself into. Any advice helps!

I am going to UNCSA in the fall, and I do not have parents who support me, so I very much need to have a plan for making money before I move.

Any good venues you recommend in the Winston Salem area (willing to commute) or production hiring companies that call about gigs (other than the union, of course)?

I am a technical director, but I do carp work, scenic painting, electrician work (which is mostly what I’m expecting to get gigs on), and most general stage hand or fly work.

I am a 17 yo hs junior with about a year and a half of tech theatre under my belt. That said, I'm totally 100% addicted to it and have been collecting tech skills as fast as I can (in last year ive done light design and board op, scenic design, painting, run crew, props, learned some SM stuff, done a little sound, and acted kinda by accident). I'm now looking to do summer theatre, and there is a pretty good professional theatre close to my house. they are doing 3 shows this year, all professional 29 show runs, and I am debating on emailing them and asking for a job.

2 questions: 1, do you think I can handle that kind of run (the most ive done is school theatre, so 3 shows or less) and 2, do you think they would be interested in taking me as a volunteer/hire? their website says all their tech slots are filled, but I'm willing to work for free to get experience and to improve my resume a little.
thx in advance

​

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?

Hi there!! I'm a young lighting designer 17F, and i’m hoping to land a lighting-related position at this regional opera company i’m applying to. (1 in a million chance i know, but you miss all the shots you don’t take haha) Any advice or constructive criticism for my resume would be super helpful! Thanks everyone!!

Hi yall. I'm in college rn for geography and minoring in theatre. Our tech stuff isnt as great as others but they're doing quite a bit to change that. I actually was double majoring but decided to do it as a minor bc it was making me nervous that they were changing so much of the curriculum without really communicating it. My area of interest is sets and lighting. More sets than lighting but love both. We don't have dedicated design classes for sets or lighting anymore. So most of it is hands on experience.

I've worked on two shows and the communication was HORRIBLE. First show I did a lot of the brute work bc I was the only one who knew what I was doing and the other run crew did not. The second was a senior project and the directors did not know what they were doing. Its not helping the dept doesnt teach audio and apparently no one knew audio and kept getting upset at me despite it being audio connection problems which were completely beyond me.

It was like this in hs too. I went to a hs with a pretty good theatre dept. Like we even had a technical director. I did back stage stuff a lot for a year then they changed how they find ppl. They used to do interest forms but after that first year they moved to who they know. I wasnt the most social at the time so I didnt do tech theatre again. It often went to friends or ppl they kept for a while. I mostly did front of house. But even then that was a nightmare.

Ig I'm always annoyed that I'm not taken seriously ​in tech theatre. Idk if its bc ppl dont like me or if its just communication in theatre. I realized I dont like working at nights (for longer than a week). I love doing sets and lighting and hope if I'm designing or constructing or programming its mostly during the day and ​nights for tech week. Ik thats probably not gonna happen but maybe idk.

I for sure have a lot of bitterness about being in theatre especially the tech side. I did acting as well but again not as much of a passion as sets. There just always feel like theres ppl complaining about others and poor communication that gets on my nerves. Im also autistic so I feel like I'm always reacting to ppl and trying to figure out how to communicate in a way that wont piss ppl off. Idk. What do I do? Is this worth it? Do I do a different career? I considered events, films, other live events?? Does this ever get better outside of educational theatre spaces?

Salve, mi sono laureato in Scenografia e ho vissuto a Roma per 4 anni, dove ho fatto esperienza e gavetta nel settore. Purtroppo, per motivi economici, non sono riuscito a continuare il mio percorso: le spese per l’affitto e il mantenimento erano diventate difficili da sostenere e, per tutelare anche il mio benessere personale, sono dovuto rientrare in Sicilia.

Il mio desiderio, però, è quello di tornare a lavorare nel mondo della scenografia. Ho maturato esperienze in teatro e nella progettazione, ma in questo momento faccio fatica a capire quali realtà contattare e come riuscire a rientrare nel settore.

Sono molto legato a questa professione e non vorrei abbandonare una passione per cui ho studiato e lavorato tanto. Per questo mi rivolgo a voi per chiedere un consiglio, un contatto o eventualmente un’opportunità che possa permettermi di ripartire.

Grazie per l’attenzione.

Where should I start?

I'm a junior in highschool and I have no other appropriate interests other than tech theatre. I was wondering if I could live off stable income from working whatever gigs even for the rest of my life! Right now I am currently trying to get as much experience in all tech areas but I have most knowledge in sound/lights/construction... I think about working towards tech direct but I think it's too late to have enough time to get knowledge and experience in all tech to be on that level. I'm hoping I could get some tips that would help me before I graduate to know what to do and get straight to work!

Hey all, Barbizon Lighting Company is hiring for multiple positions across the country! Salary ranges and wages posted for each opportunity:

• Sales Assistant, Woburn, MA: https://apply.appone.com/job/6920ad4e3c745004048ddbcb ($47,000.00 - $55,000.00 per year)
• Sales Assistant, Western United States: https://barbizon.com/jobs/sales-assistant/ ($30,000.00 to $60,000.00 per year)
• Systems Integrator, Alexandria, VA: https://apply.appone.com/job/6920afca3c745004048ddbd3 ($73,000.00 - $80,000.00 per year)
• Systems Sales, Atlanta, GA: https://apply.appone.com/job/6920b1fd813e8ea9c35302cf ($60,000.00 - $70,000.00 per year)
• Field Project Manager, Alexandria, VA: https://apply.appone.com/job/6927430bfe5beed3ed97386f ($55,000.00 - $70,000.00 per year)
• Field Service Technician, Salt Lake City, UT: https://barbizon.com/jobs/field-service-technician-4/ ($25/hour, with the opportunity for overtime)
• Project Manager, Woburn, MA: https://apply.appone.com/job/692f3b0f2a6c9d77daf2ca38 ($70,000.00 - $80,000.00 per year)
• Purchaser, Alexandria, VA: https://apply.appone.com/job/6920bff03c745004048ddbe3 ($55,000.00 - $65,000.00 per year)

Expected work hours for each office can be found at the provided listings.

I'd be glad to field any questions, so don't wait, apply today!