When I first started in the technical side of theatre 19 years ago, I was often struck by how often I saw something "behind-the-scenes" that would look wonderful as a photograph.  Little moments of backstage life, or simply the view along a catwalk.  I began bringing my camera whenever I could, as I realized that no-one seemed to have pictures of backstage life.  At first it was problematic, as most people didn't understand why I was taking pictures, and I was too enthusiastic about taking the pictures to realize when I could take them without disrupting the work taking place.  I eventually found a balance between work and photo opportunities, and now have a very extensive collection of backstage photos.

The photo above was taken sometime between 1999 and 2000, at the old Goodman Theatre in Chicago.  It shows two electricians in a 2 person Genie lift, (whose names I have forgotten) hanging lights on a boom downstage right, next to the catwalk. They are illuminated by a worklight mounted on the catwalk.  Based on the boom and the light ladder just upstage, my guess is that this was a Christmas Carol load-in.  This photo has been the basis of the BackstageJobs.com logo from the very beginning.

I have always enjoyed others' backstage photos, and hoped there were many more people that take the time to capture their time backstage.  Because of this, and to promote the upcoming launch of the redesigned BackstageJobs.com, I started this photo contest.

Here are the accepted entries for the BackstageJobs.com Photo Contest. I have also included relevant text from the people who sent them in.  I did receive some photos that did not meet the criteria, or otherwise were deemed unusable due to potential copyright issues.  If your photos, or some of your photos, are not shown here, it is for the above reasons. 

PLEASE NOTE:  Some working conditions and actions shown in the photos are not necessarily safe and/or legal.  BackstageJobs.com claims no responsibility for the actions of those shown in photos. 

You can click on most of the photos to see a larger version.  They will be judged in the next month by a group of potentially biased Chicago stagehands.

jahlea.jpg

pirate1.jpg  and

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I've been a pirate since I've been in Rock n Roll,  over 35
years. started as a roadie when I discovered that musicianship lacked.  a
friends wife made a costume for another person & wanted to see it on
somebody before she gave it to her friend, I was there, she says put this on
for me, I said  OK & then she said  " those were made for you! " & had them
ever since.  pre-Pirates 1.     I'am attaching more pix from the Blues
Cruise, Oct. '06
YES,... I'll ' cross-dress'  if the pay is right,.. but I've only got Pirate
clothes.          Tommy Wright... 

katherinecage.jpg

I saw you had a photo contest and I'm sure it's long over, but I thought this was funny and you might enjoy it. I was painting a birdcage I had built for The Nightingale and the production manager came to the shop and took pics of us working, I didn't even know she had taken this pic because I was talking to my mom on the cell. Opening night all the actors came up to me and said oh you build the birdcage? I then realized that my picture was in the lobby and everyone saw it. Kinda funny.  -Katherine Osborne
 

joe1.jpg   

joe2.jpg

This is Joe Marchese's mixing/operating position at Guild Hall.  Sent in by his wife Lea after his passing.  Now, under the basic rules for the contest, the photos had to contain a person (my intent was a person doing their work, but I neglected to mention that).  Upon first glance, these photo's did not seem to qualify, as no one was visible.  I would have posted them anyway, as this was Joe's theatre, and for someone I never had the pleasure of meeting, he has had a major impact on me.  But on a closer look, you can see pictures of his family around the consoles.  I think that qualifies.  Besides, what could be better than knowing Joe, (like a lucky few of us) had a way to see his family while he was away helping to entertain other families?  -Patrick Hudson, Webmaster

don_t_tell_jeff.jpg  

but basically in HS we nearly deatroyed half our set with an unbalanced flat/platform

edhill2.jpg 

ChorusLineBackstage.jpg

tenny1.jpg

tenny2.jpg

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LTwork.jpg