If you're intrested...

I worked in theatre as a stagehand for a long time. It was a job I enjoyed tremendously but could never really share with people outside theatrical circles. When befriending others outside that realm I would get a deer in the headlights look; no one understood what I did, it was too technical to describe. I'd get, "Oh that sounds really cool..." and then the person would murmur something about needing to find the bathroom and disappear. For a long time it bothered me, it's not like I could say I was a brain surgeon and get some degree of understanding. I would work 10-12 hour days; mostly weekends and some holidays; hanging/focusing lighting instruments; hefting road cases; moving scenery; operating lighting and sound console boards; and taping down miles and miles of sound/ lighting cable so no one would trip over it and break their necks. Not exactly equal to a 9-5 monday though friday job. I'd get dirty but I never minded it because it was fun. Stagehands aren't performers, they maintian the atmosphere on stage (lighting, sound, shifting sets and pieces, flying scenery in and out) and depending on the demands of the show it can be backbreaking work. If a stagehand has done his/her work properly the performance will be flawless.

I ran across a film that shows exactly what a stagehand does it's called "Sing Faster: The Stagehands' Ring Cycle". It is a one hour documentary about a production of Wager's Ring Cycle operas from a union stagehands' point of view with the entire film being shot from a backstage perspective. It gives the film viewer an accurate showing of what really goes into making a production work behind the big velvet drape. Although I never worked in opera, this film is an excellent example of what I used to do-complete with voice overs of "headset chat" (headsets worn by hands to communicate and listen for "cues" when to move stuff, when to bring the lights up/sound effects etc) by the stage managers calling cues, cursing and trying to work out unexpected technical difficulties. It made me happy that somebody, somewhere filmed the physically demanding lifestyle and cast light upon a crew of people who often get overlooked.
If you are curious, rent this film and if you have any questions please feel free to ask me.