The Technical crew, often abbreviated to "tech crew" or "technicians", are the individuals employed behind the scenes (backstage) who control all the technical aspects of creating a concert

Concert

A concert is a live performance before an audience. The performance may be by a single musician, sometimes then called a recital, or by a musical ensemble, such as an orchestra, a choir, or a musical band...

, play

Play (theatre)

A play is a form of literature written by a playwright, usually consisting of scripted dialogue between characters, intended for theatrical performance rather than just reading. There are rare dramatists, notably George Bernard Shaw, who have had little preference whether their plays were performed...

, musical

Musical theatre

Musical theatre is a form of theatre combining songs, spoken dialogue, acting, and dance. The emotional content of the piece – humor, pathos, love, anger – as well as the story itself, is communicated through the words, music, movement and technical aspects of the entertainment as an...

, opera

Opera

Opera is an art form in which singers and musicians perform a dramatic work combining text and musical score, usually in a theatrical setting. Opera incorporates many of the elements of spoken theatre, such as acting, scenery, and costumes and sometimes includes dance...

 or other live performance

Performance

A performance, in performing arts, generally comprises an event in which a performer or group of performers behave in a particular way for another group of people, the audience. Choral music and ballet are examples. Usually the performers participate in rehearsals beforehand. Afterwards audience...

. The technical crew can be divided up into 13 or more crew members: Stage manager, Props, Back-Stage crew, Lighting Desk Operator, Followspot(s), Master Electrician, Deck Electrician, Sound Desk Operator, Sound Manager, Mic Manager, Stage Hand & Flymen.

The role and composition of a tech crew can change significantly depending on the nature of an event, and often evolves as the production does. For example, in a simple theatre production, the technical crew might consist of a single person, operating the lights and controlling the volume of the sounds and music. In a large scale professional theatre productions, the technical crew can consist of dozens of different departments and may run into the hundreds of individuals. Each department has their own specific job that pertains to their area of expertise, but they are all part of the technical crew.

Job Categories

The technical crew on a performance fall into many different categories, based on the individuals area of expertise and responsibilities. Some of the most common categories (those encountered on the largest variety of productions) include: Stage Management, Lighting, Sound & Stage. Each of these categories have their respected sub-categories.

Responsibilities

The "techies" have a huge responsibility in making the performance rum smoothly, they take the responsibility of making sure you (the audience) can see the performers and also hear them, without the "techies" The show would not be possible.

How To Identify The Technical Crew

Almost always wearing full black with "Crew" printed on the back/front of their shirts. Most probably wearing headsets if not they will have "walkies"(2 way radio). They will either be sitting in the sound box, lighting box, backstage or they will be setting up, lights, mics, speakers, etc.

Extra Info

The Technical Crew are most probably the least respected, appreciated and noticed people in the whole production. Without them, however, actors and musicians would be on an empty stage in the dark.

See also

• Film crew
  Film crew
  Television crew positions are derived from those of film crew positions.A film crew is a group of people hired by a production company for the purpose of producing a film or motion picture. Crew are distinguished from cast, the Actors who appear in front of the camera or provide voices for...
  
  
• International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees
• Stage management
  Stage management
  Stage management is the practice of organizing and coordinating a theatrical production. It encompasses a variety of activities, including organizing the production and coordinating communications between various personnel...