blank
Stagework | issues - ideas - people - performance


Search Stagework

home
productions
issues
people
for teachers
events & workshops
stagework blog
 
Ken Smith 
 
This is a video clip
Meet Ken Smith
 
This is information text
Ken's Career
 
This is information text
I Want To Be A Flyman
 

 
 

I Want To Be A Flyman

A career as a flyman could be for you if you like to work in the theatre environment but prefer to be involved in the technical side of things. Working as a flyman is not limited to theatre, but can also be a job on sets of television and film productions. Although the flying systems are mechanized in bigger and more modern theatres and productions, in smaller theatres the work still involves a lot of physical labour, like pulling on ropes and operating pulleys. So it could be a career both for technical people and those who enjoy manual work.

As a flyman, you may have to work long and irregular hours, so if you are someone who likes the structure of a 9 to 5 job, this might not be the career for you. The work is quite collaborative, as most theatres will have a team of flymen, led by a Head Flyman. Your tasks will really depend on the needs of individual productions, as some may require more work preparing the sets and scenery, while others may involve operating different parts of the scenery during the performance.

In terms of training, you are probably all set if you have ever worked on a boat, done manual work, and understand the physics of pulleys! A good background in stage management is also useful, and there are many theatre schools, colleges and universities that offer reputable stage management programmes. You should also try and get some practical experience by volunteering for a local theatre production.

 

Go
 
Productions
Beasts and Beauties
Production management
Connections: Paule Constable Lighting Designer | Giles Cadle Set Designer | Kerry McDevitt Deputy Stage Manager
National Theatre logo