Hometown
My family is from the West Midlands but I was raised in Bath. I moved to Oldham for a couple of years at college then moved down to London to continue studying and haven’t yet managed to escape.

What do you do?
My current position is senior technician: production and administration for Sadler’s Wells Theatre

What was your very first role in theatre?
I spent several years performing as part of Bath Theatre Royal Young People’s Theatre in the Ustinov Studio long before it became a proper venue.

Professionally my first job was casual crew at Bolton Octagon.

What else have you done in theatre?
- show staff on West End productions of Cats, Witches of Eastwick and Bombay Dreams, which included a brief stage appearance
- stage manager and sound operator on Passage to India at the Riverside Studios for Shared Experience
- sound operator at the Royal Court for a season
- part of the lighting team for the opening of Selfridges at the Birmingham Bull Ring (shopping centre)
- employed part-time by both my HE colleges whilst studying

Have you ever worked outside the industry?
Only as bar staff or shop assistants while studying, until I got employed in a local theatre. Though I did spend a day as a supply teacher. Just the one.

Have you got qualifications?
In addition to GCSEs and A-Levels:
- HND theatre lighting and sound design
- BA (Hons) theatre practice from Central School of Speech and Drama
- first aid at work
- PASMA mobile access towers
- IPAF scissor lift and vertical personnel platform (now categories 1a and 3a)
- CIEH level 2 award in principles of manual handling
- ABTT bronze technician award
- basic certificates in working at height, electricity at work and inspection and testing of electrical equipment
- Open University level 1 course technology for the future: working with the environment

What did you want to be when you grew up?
Variously an actor, space explorer, games tester, a waiter for about ten minutes and even a drummer

What do you do all day?
I’ve been full-time now for five years and wanted to move away from running cable and moving sound desks every day so I’ve made a conscious switch to spend more time in front of a computer.

We generally have a new show in each week and something happening off site so a lot of my time is spent dealing with technical hires, equipment lists, transport and costings for current and future shows.

This includes meeting with staff from upcoming shows and giving them the chance to actually see the venue before they come in with their shows.

I’ve also got some purchasing authority for the technical department and have to keep track on inventory and make sure we don’t run out of consumables.

I still get my hands dirty and help out on the get-ins and get-outs of the larger shows that come through and seem to have become the de facto harness-work guy in the theatre.

I’m also involved in researching for technical projects with longer life spans, such as our assets register, equipment depreciation and keeping track of legislative changes, as well as trying to keep on top on both current sustainability issues and trends within the arts and dance world that may impact on us down the line.

And I’ve also recently become more involved with BECTU, becoming the branch secretary and getting involved with the independent arts centre sub division committee.

Occasionally I even have lunch.

What’s the best thing about your job?
I now finally can actually choose which hours I work to some extent, though there are still more mornings than I would like. And it’s still a good feeling to get a show up and running on time and feel the audience surge.

What’s the worst thing about your job?
The variable working hours aren’t great for your health or social life, though this is less of an issue in my current position. The artistic
temperaments of some people also aren’t great for health or social life. And the lack of windows in my office.

What’s your dream job in the theatre?
Something that means I can work mostly away from the office, covers a wide area so I can travel when I want to, has little budgetary constraint, allows me to work with friends, isn’t fixed to one venue and has free cake.

I’m still looking!

Got any wise words for someone who wants to be where you are now?
Get involved with anything that interests you. Be reliable – turn up on time. Be prepared to stay late if needed.

Ask what the next task is (better if you can start on the next task without being asked). Ask questions if you don’t know.

Be willing to participate and allow participation. Don’t settle for less but don’t be surprised if something doesn’t go according to plan.

Remember to plan things through before starting and to keep an open mind and an awareness of things around you (which includes intangible things also).

Try not to take things personally but vest a personal interest if something really grabs you. If you want a particular role, make sure any job you do is geared to helping to get that role. If you have no interest in being a flight case pusher all your life, you need to be known to do other jobs.

And offer to make tea early on.

Tom Hares’ blog