WOMEN IN CRUISE SHIP TECH THEATRE

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While I was on the Norwegian Bliss, I asked Abby,
the Production Stage Manager for “Jersey Boys”,
​about women in cruise ship tech theatre.
 
Here’s what she had to say…

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When I asked what percentage of women technicians are there typically on cruise ships, Abby replied “Not a lot normally.”  She went on to say that there were currently only two women techs on board the Bliss, herself and a stage manager.
 
However, the current admin management are all women. That included the TOM (Theatrical Operations Manager), the Box Office Manager, the Entertainment Administrator, and also the Assistant Cruise Director (who is also involved with the Entertainment Department).
 
The whole costume team is also women, but stage technicians are typically men.  A year prior there was a woman stage technician and a woman Props Master.  There was also a woman lighting tech, who was on her fourth or fifth contract with Norwegian.  Another woman who was on the Bliss was the Lead Wardrobe Supervisor, but she moved on to the Prima.
 
We also talked a bit about attire, because some women sometimes like to wear dresses, skirts or leggings while working a show - NCL doesn’t require everyone in the booth to wear ‘blacks’, as long as the crew in the booth is dressed nicely.  But that begs the question, where do you put your keys, wrench, leatherman, headset box, and other techie gear?   They wear bum bags (‘fanny packs’ in the US), and attach the headset box to the belt and keep other gear in the pouch.  Brilliant!
 
For more insights from a women in cruise ship tech theatre, be sure to also check out Christine Caldbeck, who is a sound technician from Ireland, at https://www.youtube.com/@christinecaldbeck
 
NEXT WEEK’S BLISS-FUL TOPIC:   Stage managing a show on a ship
 
Curious about working on a cruise ship?  Check out the Master Class
 
Serious about working on a cruise ship?  Check out the Discovery Cruise
 
Don’t forget to check out the Slop Chest for your must-have cruise related apparel, etc! 
https://www.cruisetechies.com/slopchest.html
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