I was actually hired at People's Light (on a call by call basis) in 2007 when I was 15. I discovered what it was like to work behind the scenes at Strath Haven High School, and I fell in love instantly. Over the years I would work here whenever I was home from college/ grad school, and then more often when I was a full-time freelance electrician. As a freelancer I have worked at over 50 venues in 4 states ranging from small theatres to large concert venues like Citizen's Bank Park, the Lincoln Center, Hard Rock, and others.
To me, a theatre electrician is about solving a series of puzzles. I am given a light plot from a designer and have to solve the puzzles of "what lights do I need to prep?" "What colors do they need and how can I make that happen?" "What are their purposes?" "How will I get them power and control cable?" "What kind of control do they need?" "How will I program them?" etc. In the end, I get to see the results of solving all those puzzles.
I have been full time here at People's Light for 3 years, but still get the opportunity to work at different locations on the side. I may have days where I'm less enthusiastic about the work I'll be doing, but it's never a struggle to get myself to come in. They say that "if you love your job you'll never work a day in your life," and I can honestly say that most of the time I feel like it's not a job at all.