The Stage

Technican’s trouble

Published Tuesday 29 March 2005 at 11:50

I am writing in response to Sam Gray’s letter ‘Bars to backstage’ (Opinion, March 10, page 8).

I agree that there should be no discrimination towards women and their capabilities but would like to advise her that it is better now than it was when I started eight years ago.

I relocated and by chance came across an advert for casual staff but although I came with stage and LX knowledge from my previous venue, I was female and therefore would only be used for dressing. This carried on for nearly two years with my income at around £3,000 per year. I persevered and even though a full-time technical post became available I did not feel experienced enough to fulfill the criteria at the time and the job was given to someone less experienced who was male, tall and looked as though he was strong. A year later he left and I was given a temporary contract on a month by month basis. When the theatre was due to go dark, I was told on the Wednesday that my contract would not be renewed and I finished on the Saturday. I still came back for the love of the job and it eventually became permanent - four years after I started.

Sam, you are young and there are many people, male and female, who have been casual employees for years who wait for a permanent position. Being female is not the issue, it is the volume of technicians for very few full-time positions. Persevere, take tours and temporary contracts while you have no ties and one day you will hit upon a venue looking for a full-time technician with a salary far less than you have earned and you won’t even want it.

Lisa E-Crann

Hollingwood Lane

Bradford

West Yorkshire