Meet Felix and learn more about his life as a stage manager for BBC Introducing. Part of our Bitesize world of work series.
Felix:
I'm the stage manager of the BBC Introducing Stage. Load ins and load outs - it's about organising, trucking and the logistics of how the build goes. And then it changes when the show starts. It's more about making sure the bands are running on time, organising backstage and keeping everywhere neat and tidy and just organised.
You've got to have a bit of thick skin in this game, you know. The weather can turn on you and, you know, when you're doing those long days in the pouring rain, it's not as glamorous as everyone makes it out to be. But, you know, free concerts and obviously an exciting place to be working.
I started just as local crews, loading in and loading out bands at Brixton Academy and the O2 Arena from festivals, just, you know, working the stage and working there really. There's a new breed definitely that have been to school and got university degrees in it all and it seems to be that that's a good way to get knowledge, but other than that I just learnt just through working. I was lucky enough to work with some of the top stage managers in the country, probably the world. I learnt a lot from them and moved into stage management when I was ready.
I was lucky enough to work with some of the top stage managers in the country, probably the world. I learnt a lot from them and moved into stage management when I was ready.
- Felix is stage manager for the BBC Introducing Stage. This involves the unloading and loading of the kit and organising the build backstage. Then when the artists are performing, he makes sure the performers run on time and makes sure everything is neat and tidy on stage
- Felix started out stage managing for local bands at venues such as the Brixton Academy and O2 Arena and learnt through working alongside the top stage managers in the country
- He says you need to have quite a thick skin for the job as you can be outside in the rain a lot, but you get to see free concerts and it's an exciting place to be.
What to expect if you want to be a stage manager
- Stage manager average salary: £25,000 to £48,000
- Stage manager typical working hours: 40 to 50 hours per week. You could work evenings, weekends and bank holidays.
What qualifications do you need to be a stage manager?
You could get into this role via a university course, a college course, an apprenticeship or working towards this role.
Sources: National Careers Service
This information is a guide and is constantly changing. Please check the National Careers Service website for the latest information and all the qualifications needed.
For careers advice in all parts of the UK visit: National Careers Service (England), nidirect (Northern Ireland), My World of Work (Scotland) and Careers Wales (Wales).
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