The Joy of Doing What You Love for a Living: Life in Technical Theater

What if your job is the thing you love?

How many people get to say, “I love my job”? In the world of technical theater, we may be covered in sawdust or wrangling cables at 1 AM, but underneath it all, there’s joy. Deep, steady, fulfilling joy.

And that joy doesn’t come from perfect conditions. It comes from knowing you’re doing meaningful work, creating something amazing (even if its temporary), and building a strong community. The kind of community that can only exist backstage.

If you work backstage, in any capacity, you already know. The magic isn't just on stage. It’s in the moments of figuring it out together.

It’s not always easy, but it’s always worth it

Let’s be honest: technical theater work can be demanding. You wear a lot of hats. Educator, engineer, therapist, safety officer, magician, all of the above at once. Sometimes it feels like there’s never enough time, help, or gaff tape.

But even on the hardest days, there are moments. A cue that hits just right. I have literally waited for the audience to gasp at just the right time and jumped up and down silently pumping my fist backstage when I heard it. A student who finally finds their confidence and calls a whole show with authority. They walk out of the theater two inches taller, every time. A set that goes from napkin sketch to standing structure and everyone looks at it, amazed, at just how it happened.. And in that moment, you remember: this is what I’m meant to be doing.

Technical theater teaches more than skills, it teaches purpose

Students who work on show crews or shop teams don’t just learn how to hang lights or build flats. They learn collaboration, accountability, creative problem-solving, and how to recover when things don’t go according to plan. And let's be honest, nothing ever goes exactly according to plan.

That’s part of the joy, too. You’re not just building shows. You’re building humans. You’re helping students find their voices, discover their strengths, and contribute to something bigger than themselves. Sometimes just helping them realize that there is something greater than themselves.

And you get to do that for a living.

You’re allowed to love your work and ask for support

Loving what you do doesn’t mean it’s not exhausting. It doesn’t mean you don’t get overwhelmed, overbooked, or overlooked. And it certainly doesn’t mean you should go it alone.

Theater people are some of the most generous professionals out there, but we’re notorious for putting ourselves last. You don’t have to do it that way. Ask for help. Accept the resources. Advocate for your time. The joy of doing what you love doesn’t have to come at the expense of your health, mental or physical. Professionals seek support at all levels, and we know, cooperation and collaboration in the arts are where the real strength comes from.

You’re not just “lucky” to do this work. You’re skilled, trained, and powerful in your role. Own that.

Savor the joy, it’s your fuel

If you’re reading this in the middle of tech week (we start our first tech of the season next week!), with a clipboard in one hand, a coffee in the other, and a headset around your neck, consider this your reminder: You’re allowed to feel proud. You’re allowed to love this. Unapologetically.

Celebrate the small wins. Take a picture of that perfect paint blend. Laugh with your crew. Laugh at yourself. Share your work. Reflect on what brought you here. Doing what you love for a living doesn’t mean it’s easy. But it does mean it’s yours.

And that’s a kind of success no one can fake.

If you’re looking for support in your joy, join our Backstage AIC Facebook Group. We’re here for you.