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Festival Lighting Jobs (NOW HIRING)

ALLEY THEATRE

Overhire Lighting Technician

Houston, TX · On-site

$18/hr

The Alley has transferred productions to Broadway, Off-Broadway, major European Festivals, and to ... Overhire Lighting Technicians will service both Alley theatre spaces for load-ins, changeovers ...

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Festival Lighting information

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$22

$35

$55

How much do festival lighting jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average hourly pay for festival lighting in the United States is $35.55, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $26.20 and $37.50 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is festival lighting?

Festival lighting refers to the design, installation, and management of lighting systems specifically for festivals and large events. This includes decorative lights, stage lighting, ambient and safety lighting, all tailored to enhance the atmosphere and experience of the event. Professionals in festival lighting work closely with event organizers to create visually appealing and functional lighting that complements performances and ensures guest safety. They may use a variety of lighting technologies and techniques, such as LED fixtures, spotlights, and synchronized light shows.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a festival lighting technician, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Festival Lighting Technician, you need expertise in lighting design, electrical systems, and event production, often backed by technical training or certification in stage lighting. Proficiency in using lighting consoles (like MA Lighting or Avolites), DMX control systems, and rigging equipment is typically required. Strong problem-solving, teamwork, and communication skills help technicians adapt quickly to changing event needs and collaborate with other crew members. These skills ensure safe, visually impactful lighting setups that enhance the overall festival experience and maintain safety standards.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals in festival lighting, and how can they be addressed?

Professionals in festival lighting often encounter challenges such as adapting to unpredictable weather, managing last-minute technical changes, and ensuring safety in high-traffic environments. Working outdoors requires equipment that is weather-resistant, and quick problem-solving skills are essential when schedules shift or technical issues arise. Collaboration with event planners, sound engineers, and stage managers is key to creating seamless lighting experiences and resolving issues efficiently. Staying up-to-date with the latest lighting technology and safety protocols can also help address these challenges and enhance overall performance.

What is the difference between Festival Lighting vs Stage Lighting Technician?

AspectFestival LightingStage Lighting Technician
CredentialsLighting certifications, technical trainingLighting certifications, technical training
Work EnvironmentOutdoor festivals, large-scale eventsTheaters, concerts, indoor venues
Industry UsageMusic festivals, cultural eventsTheater productions, live shows
Job FocusDesigning and setting up lighting for festivalsInstalling, operating, and maintaining stage lighting

Festival Lighting and Stage Lighting Technicians both require similar certifications and work in entertainment settings. However, Festival Lighting focuses on outdoor, large-scale festival environments, while Stage Lighting Technicians primarily work indoors in theaters or concert halls. Their roles overlap in technical skills but differ in setting and specific responsibilities.

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What cities are hiring for Festival Lighting jobs?

Cities with the most Festival Lighting job openings:

What job categories do people searching Festival Lighting jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Festival Lighting jobs are:

Festival Lighting jobs near you
Infographic showing various Festival Lighting job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 84% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $73,934 per year, or $35.5 per hour.

Lighting Technician II

Oregon Shakespeare Festival

Ashland, OR

$26.13/hr

Full-time

Posted 2 days ago

New

Job description

Now Hiring: Lighting Technician II
Department: Lighting | Reports to: Lighting Department Manager
Status: Seasonal, Non-Exempt (40 hours/week)
Expected Dates: 1/19/2027 – 11/14/2027
Pay Rate: $26.13 hourly
Location: Ashland, OR

This position is represented by IATSE Local 154.

The Oregon Shakespeare Festival (OSF) is seeking a skilled and collaborative Lighting Technician II to support our 2027 production season. This role is ideal for someone with a strong foundation in theatrical lighting who enjoys both the technical and live performance aspects of production work.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities (Essential Functions**):

  • Models and supports the mission and values of OSF by:
    • Demonstrating inclusive behavior.
    • Maintaining a safe working environment free from any aggressions.
    • Recognizing micro-aggressions and interrupting behaviors that hinder OSF’s diversity and inclusion
      efforts.
  • Hangs, rigs, focuses, and strikes conventional and automated lighting, atmospheric/special effects and video
    equipment.
  • Maintains and repairs OSF lighting and video equipment inventory, and workspaces.
  • Builds and installs show-specific specialty lighting, effects and video elements.
  • Programs ETC Family consoles (EOS Ti, GIO or ION) during technical rehearsals.
  • Runs lighting console for assigned shows and understudy tracks.
  • Executes lighting changeovers for assigned shows, and as needed/assigned.
  • Assists in creating and maintaining up to date, show related/understudy paperwork for all assigned shows.
  • Maintains design and operational integrity for assigned shows.
  • Participates in work and notes calls with other lighting and/or video personnel, and as assigned by the Lead Electrician, Assistant Lead Electricians and Department Manager.
  • Follows all departmental Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
  • Communicates clearly, concisely, and in a timely fashion with other members of the company

Other Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Upholds best practices of good stagecraft in conjunction with OSF Lighting & Video Department policies, other
    production departments and artistic stakeholders.
  • Works alongside and in collaboration with Video, Stage Operations and other production personnel.
  • Assists Video Supervisor and Video Engineers/Technicians with lighting and video systems integrations as needed.
  • Keeps all storage and workspaces organized and clean.
  • Sets up and strikes tech tables.
  • Assists with lighting related special projects/requests from Stage Management, and other OSF stakeholders.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications & Skills:

  • Work Experience: One (1) year of professional experience in theatrical or live event lighting.
    (Experience in a higher education technical theater program may be considered in lieu of professional experience)
  • Ability to read and interpret light plots and typical theatrical lighting paperwork.
  • Ability to program lighting control consoles.
  • Working knowledge of industry standard conventional and automated lighting equipment.
  • Working knowledge of industry standard operating procedures regarding theatrical lighting.
  • Working knowledge of electrical theory.
  • Familiar with industry standard safe rigging practices.
  • Experience using typical hand and power tools (e.g., screw guns, screwdrivers, shop vacs, etc.).
  • Ability to work as a team member in a collaborative environment.
  • Strong verbal communication skills.

Other Skills, Ability and/or Knowledge:

  • Ability to operate personnel lifts.
  • Working knowledge of Lightwright.
  • Familiarity with Vari*lite, High End, and Clay Paky automated luminaires
  • Familiarity with various LED fixtures such as ETC Lustr2, PixeLine/PixelRange, Chroma Q, generic LED/pixel tape, etc

Physical:

  • Climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl. Frequently lift up to 50 lbs. with occasional lifting of heavier equipment.
  • Comfortable regularly working at heights of up to 45’ in backstage spaces, personnel lifts, and ladders, wearing fall
    protection harnesses, ascending vertical ladders of 25’. Frequently squat, kneel, or crouch while maintaining position, and
    stand, walk and sit for up to 10 hours per day.

Hours Requirements:
Standard work week is Tuesday through Sunday. Night-time and weekend hours are regularly required. Overtime is
required, especially during technical rehearsal periods. The ability to work a variable, split-shift schedule is required.

Desired Skills:
Familiarity or experience with:
o ETC EOS family lighting control consoles & software
o A repertory theater environment
o Various show control protocols (OSC, NDI, Midi, SMPTE, etc.).
o Basic Electronics/Arduino programming
o Theatrical video projection systems
o Dataton Watchout or other media server software
o Electrical soldering