Lighting Technician Resume examples & templates
Copyable Lighting Technician Resume examples
What happens when the lights go down in a packed venue and no one knows how to bring them back up? That's when lighting technicians become the unsung heroes of live events. Behind every perfectly illuminated concert, theatrical production, or film set stands a skilled professional who understands both the art and science of light. With the rapid shift toward LED technology and programmable systems, today's lighting techs juggle technical expertise with creative vision—something that wasn't required even five years ago. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that lighting technician positions in the entertainment industry are growing at 12% annually, significantly outpacing average job growth.
The magic happens when technical know-how meets creative expression. I've watched lighting techs transform empty stages into emotional landscapes using nothing but light and shadow (and sometimes a bit of haze). From road-worn touring techs who can troubleshoot DMX issues in seconds to the studio specialists who craft the perfect key light, this field rewards both problem-solvers and artists. As virtual production techniques and sustainability concerns reshape lighting practices, techs who can adapt to these emerging technologies will find themselves at the forefront of an evolving industry.
Junior Lighting Technician Resume Example
TYLER RODRIGUEZ
San Diego, CA 92101 | (619) 555-0182 | t.rodriguez@emailprovider.com
www.linkedin.com/in/tylerrodriguezlighting | Portfolio: www.tylerrodlighting.com
Detail-oriented Lighting Technician with 2 years of experience in theater, live events, and film productions. Quick learner with hands-on experience in DMX programming, light rigging, and equipment maintenance. Skilled in collaborating with creative teams to execute artistic visions while meeting technical requirements and safety standards.
EXPERIENCE
Junior Lighting Technician – Illumination Production Services, San Diego, CA
May 2022 – Present
- Assist Lead Technician in installing, focusing, and programming lighting fixtures for medium-sized events (500-1,500 attendees)
- Operate lighting board for 31 live performances, including quick cue programming during rehearsals
- Troubleshoot technical issues with minimal production delays; reduced pre-show equipment failures by 17%
- Maintain inventory of 200+ lighting fixtures, cables, and accessories (LEDs, movers, conventionals)
- Collaborate with 3-person team to develop and implement lighting designs for corporate events
Lighting Assistant (Part-time) – Coastal Theater Company, San Diego, CA
September 2021 – May 2022
- Supported lighting designer in executing designs for 6 theatrical productions
- Helped with fixture hanging, focusing, and gel changes during tech week
- Created and maintained lightplots using Vectorworks
- Ran follow spot for 12 performances of “The Glass Menagerie” (got pretty good at it by the end!)
Production Intern – SDSU Theater Department, San Diego, CA
January 2021 – May 2021
- Rotated through lighting, sound, and scenic departments for hands-on training
- Assisted with basic lighting setup and teardown for student productions
- Learned fundamentals of DMX protocols and basic console programming
EDUCATION
Associate of Arts in Technical Theater – San Diego City College
Graduated: December 2020
CERTIFICATIONS
- ETCP Entertainment Electrician Certification (In Progress – Expected June 2023)
- OSHA 10-Hour General Industry Safety (2021)
- First Aid/CPR Certified (2022)
TECHNICAL SKILLS
- Lighting Equipment: ETC Source Four, Vari-Lite, Martin, Chauvet fixtures
- Consoles: ETC Ion, GrandMA2 (basic), Hog 4 (basic)
- Software: Vectorworks, LightWright 6, QLab
- DMX/RDM protocols and troubleshooting
- Rigging & mounting systems
- Cable management & power distribution
- Basic electrical repair & soldering
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Available for travel and overnight productions. Clean driver’s license with experience operating production vans. Own basic toolkit including multimeter, wrenches, and C-wrench.
Mid-level Lighting Technician Resume Example
Megan Doyle
Orlando, FL • (407) 555-8249 • mdoyle.lighting@email.com • linkedin.com/in/megan-doyle-lighting
Professional Summary
Versatile Lighting Technician with 5+ years setting up and operating lighting equipment for theater productions, music concerts, and corporate events. Known for quick problem-solving during live shows and meticulous attention to safety protocols. Experienced with both traditional lighting systems and cutting-edge LED/digital technologies, with a track record of reducing setup time by 22% through improved workflow processes.
Experience
Senior Lighting Technician – Sunburst Entertainment Group, Orlando, FL
January 2021 – Present
- Lead a team of 4 junior technicians for mid-size festival and corporate event setups, providing on-the-job training and troubleshooting support
- Programmed and operated GrandMA2 console for 30+ annual events ranging from 500-3,000 attendees
- Collaborated with production designers to create custom lighting schemes that matched client brand colors, resulting in a 19% increase in returning clients
- Managed inventory of $175K worth of lighting equipment, implementing a barcode tracking system that cut post-event pack-up time by 35 minutes
- Configured DMX networks and resolved signal issues during live shows (once saved a wedding reception when the main board crashed by quickly rerouting to backup)
Lighting Technician – Orlando Performing Arts Center, Orlando, FL
March 2019 – December 2020
- Installed, tested, and operated lighting equipment for 75+ theatrical productions and concerts
- Programmed cues using ETC Eos consoles and maintained detailed documentation for 12 rotating shows
- Repaired and maintained conventional fixtures including Source Fours, PARs, and Fresnels
- Assisted with rigging and focusing of lighting instruments according to designer specifications
- Created an improved gel organization system that reduced color selection time by 17%
Lighting Assistant – Stagelight Productions, Tampa, FL
August 2018 – February 2019
- Assisted lead technicians with setup and strike of lighting equipment for corporate events
- Ran cables, positioned fixtures, and helped troubleshoot basic technical issues
- Maintained equipment inventory and coordinated transportation logistics
- Learned basic programming on Hog 4 console during downtime between shows
Education
Associate of Applied Science, Technical Theater
Valencia College, Orlando, FL – 2018
Certifications
- ETCP Entertainment Electrician Certification – 2022
- OSHA 10-Hour General Industry Safety – 2019
- High Angle Rescue Training – 2021
- ETC Console Programming – Level 2 – 2020
Skills
- Lighting Console Operation: GrandMA2, ETC Eos, Hog 4
- DMX/RDM protocol configuration
- Conventional & intelligent fixture maintenance
- Vectorworks drafting (basic)
- Sound basics (can run simple shows if needed)
- Electrical safety & troubleshooting
- Rigging fundamentals
- Equipment inventory management
- Show documentation & paperwork
- Basic soldering & wiring repair
Senior / Experienced Lighting Technician Resume Example
MARCUS RODRIGUEZ
Chicago, IL | (312) 555-8724 | mrodriguez.lighting@gmail.com | linkedin.com/in/marcusrodriguez
Lighting Technician with 9+ years of hands-on experience across theatrical productions, concert tours, and broadcast environments. Known for flawless execution of complex lighting plots and quick problem-solving during live events. Strong technical background with expertise in both conventional and digital lighting systems. Consistently praised for my collaborative approach and calm under pressure during high-stakes productions.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Senior Lighting Technician – Live Nation Entertainment, Chicago, IL (May 2019 – Present)
- Lead a team of 4-6 lighting techs for 30+ major concert events annually at venues seating 5,000-20,000 attendees
- Program and operate GrandMA2 and Hog 4 consoles for headlining artists including 3 national tours
- Troubleshoot and repair intelligent lighting fixtures (Martin, Vari-Lite, Clay Paky) cutting equipment downtime by 37%
- Coordinated full lighting system upgrades for 2 primary venues, including installation of 68 new intelligent fixtures
- Collaborate with touring production managers to integrate show-specific lighting plots with house systems
Lighting Technician – Goodman Theatre, Chicago, IL (August 2016 – May 2019)
- Executed lighting designs for 12-15 theatrical productions annually, including 2 world premieres
- Programmed and operated ETC EOS console for all main stage productions
- Maintained inventory of 350+ lighting instruments, reducing repair costs by $8,700 annually through preventative maintenance
- Trained and supervised 4 junior technicians and 6 interns on equipment operations and safety protocols
- Collaborated with designers to implement creative visions while working within technical constraints
Lighting Assistant – WTTW PBS Chicago, Chicago, IL (March 2014 – August 2016)
- Assisted with lighting setup for daily news broadcasts and weekly cultural programming
- Managed lighting equipment inventory and coordinated maintenance schedules
- Helped implement new LED lighting package for main studio, reducing power consumption by 43%
- Gained experience with broadcast-specific lighting techniques and equipment
EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS
Bachelor of Fine Arts, Technical Theatre – Columbia College Chicago (2010-2014)
ETCP Certified Entertainment Electrician – Certification #ET-19875 (2018, renewed 2022)
OSHA 30-Hour General Industry Safety Certification (2019)
High Angle Rescue Training – Industrial Rope Access Trade Association Level 1 (2020)
TECHNICAL SKILLS
- Lighting Consoles: GrandMA2/3, ETC EOS/ION, Hog 4, Avolites
- DMX/RDM protocols and networking
- Vectorworks and Lightwright 6
- Intelligent Lighting: Martin, Vari-Lite, Clay Paky, Robe
- Power distribution (400A three-phase systems)
- Rigging and flying techniques for lighting equipment
- Lighting for broadcast and camera
- Soldering and basic electronics repair
- Previsualization software (wysiwyg, Vision)
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Member of IATSE Local 2 since 2017 (International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees)
Conversational Spanish speaker
Available for travel and touring (US passport current)
How to Write a Lighting Technician Resume
Introduction
Landing a great lighting tech job starts with a standout resume. In an industry where both technical skills and creative vision matter, your resume needs to showcase both your technical prowess and your artistic sensibilities. I've reviewed hundreds of lighting technician resumes over my career, and the difference between those that get interviews and those that don't often comes down to specific details that many applicants miss. Let's break down exactly what you need to make your lighting tech resume shine (pun absolutely intended).
Resume Structure and Format
Keep your resume clean and well-organized—just like your cable runs should be! A cluttered resume suggests a disorganized technician, which no production wants.
- Stick to 1-2 pages max (1 page for juniors, 2 pages only if you have 7+ years of experience)
- Use a simple, professional font like Arial or Calibri at 10-12pt
- Include clear section headers to help skim-readers find key info
- Incorporate white space to make your resume breathable and easy to scan
- Save as both .docx and PDF formats (some application systems prefer one over the other)
Profile/Summary Section
Your opening statement should be brief but powerful—like a well-focused spot. In 3-4 sentences, summarize your experience level, specialties, and what makes you valuable.
TIP: Tailor your summary to each job application. For theater gigs, emphasize your experience with theatrical lighting instruments and cue programming. For concert work, highlight your experience with moving lights and busking skills.
Example: "Lighting Technician with 5 years of experience spanning concert tours, corporate events, and theatrical productions. Proficient with grandMA2, ETC Eos, and Hog 4 consoles. Known for quick problem-solving during high-pressure situations and meticulous attention to detail in both programming and execution."
Professional Experience
This is where you'll spend most of your resume real estate. For each position:
- List company/venue name, your title, and dates (month/year to month/year)
- Include 4-6 bullet points describing your responsibilities and achievements
- Start each bullet with a strong action verb (programmed, installed, designed, operated)
- Mention specific equipment you've worked with (consoles, fixtures, software)
- Quantify your experience when possible ("Managed lighting for 237 performances" sounds better than "Managed lighting for many performances")
Education and Certifications
Many lighting techs come from varied educational backgrounds. Whatever yours is, make it count:
- List formal education (degree, institution, graduation year)
- Include relevant certifications (ETCP, manufacturer training, safety certs)
- Mention specialized training workshops (rigging safety, console programming)
- Don't forget your First Aid/CPR certification if you have one—it's a plus!
Keywords and ATS Tips
Many production companies and venues use Applicant Tracking Systems to filter resumes before a human sees them. Beat the bots by:
- Including specific equipment names from the job posting (MA Lighting, ETC, Chauvet, etc.)
- Mentioning software you know (Vectorworks, WYSIWYG, Vision, Capture)
- Using industry standard terminology (DMX, sACN, Art-Net, RDM)
- Avoiding tables, headers/footers, and images that ATS systems struggle with
Industry-specific Terms
Sprinkle these throughout your resume to signal that you speak the language:
- Technical terms: DMX addressing, fixture profiles, patching, color temperature
- Equipment types: Ellipsoidals, PARs, Fresnels, moving heads, LED fixtures
- Skills: Focusing, troubleshooting, programming, rigging, power distribution
- Show elements: Cue stacks, effects, timecode, busking, color mixing
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Being vague about your exact role in productions ("part of lighting team" tells me nothing)
- Listing every show you've ever worked on—quality over quantity!
- Overemphasizing your creative vision if applying for technical positions
- Forgetting to mention physical capabilities (many job postings require lifting 50+ lbs)
- Using the same resume for theater, concert, and corporate applications
Before/After Example
Before: "Responsible for lights at various events."
After: "Programmed and operated GrandMA2 for 43 touring concerts, managing 76 intelligent fixtures and collaborating with LD to troubleshoot DMX issues during load-ins within tight 4-hour timeframes."
See the difference? The second version gives specific details about consoles, quantity of events, types of fixtures, and problem-solving abilities—all things hiring managers want to know about.
Remember that in an industry built on reliability, your resume should demonstrate the same level of professionalism and attention to detail that you bring to every gig. Break a leg!
Related Resume Examples
Soft skills for your Lighting Technician resume
- Cross-functional collaboration with directors, sound engineers, and stage managers (developed after 5+ years working in high-pressure productions)
- Clear communication under tight deadlines and during live troubleshooting situations
- Crew leadership and mentoring of junior technicians (managed teams of 3-4 on mid-size productions)
- Creative problem-solving when equipment fails or venues present unexpected challenges
- Time management across multiple concurrent setup tasks (especially during festival season)
- Stress tolerance during high-stakes live performances with zero margin for error
Hard skills for your Lighting Technician resume
- DMX512 Protocol Programming & Troubleshooting
- ETC Ion/Eos Console Operation (4+ years)
- Vectorworks Spotlight for lighting plots
- Moving Light Maintenance (Martin, Vari-Lite, Robe)
- Power Distribution Systems (200-400 amp 3-phase)
- Network-based protocols (sACN, Art-Net, RDM)
- Followspot Operation (Lycian 1290, Robert Juliat)
- Fixture Repair & Preventative Maintenance
- Rigging & Hanging Plot Installation (under 75 fixtures)