Master Electrician

The Master Electrician is responsible for implementing the lighting design for a production drawn up by the Lighting designer. This involves overseeing the preparation, hanging, connection and focusing of stage lighting fixtures.

This can be done on a show by show basis, or as a resident position of a specific theatre. The tool of the trade of the theatrical Master Electrician is the Crescent wrench or adjustable spanner, used to secure stage lighting instruments from lighting positions in the theatre. This wrench is typically attached to the belt or wrist with a lanyard. The lanyard is important because the Master Electrician tends to work at great height from ladders, lift tables, catwalks, or lighting trusses where a falling wrench may hurt people or damage property below.