Performance Flying Director
Role lens
Performance flying directors design people flying effects for a performance and supervise or perform the execution of it. Their work is based on research and artistic vision. Their design is influenced by and influences other designs and must be conform with these designs and the overall artistic vision. They train the actors for the flying choreography and manipulate them during the performance. Performance flying directors prepare and supervise the setup, perform security checks and operate the person fly systems. The manipulation of persons on height, close to or above performers and audience makes this a high risk occupation.
A performance flying director is a highly specialized role demanding a unique blend of artistic talent, technical expertise, and leadership skills. Your days involve conceptualizing and designing complex flying choreography, training actors in these techniques, and ensuring the safe operation of person-fly systems during performances. This role requires close collaboration with other creative departments, contributing to the overall artistic vision while adhering to stringent safety regulations. The work is demanding, requiring meticulous planning and constant vigilance due to the inherent risks associated with manipulating people at height.
- • Design and choreograph aerial sequences, considering artistic vision and technical feasibility.
- • Train performers in safe and effective flying techniques, including rigging and movement.
- • Supervise the setup, operation, and ongoing maintenance of person-fly systems.
Where this occupation is in demand
Reported labour shortages and surpluses, by year. Published for occupation groups, not for individual job titles.
Figures cover Legal, social, cultural and related associate professionals — 108 jobs including this one.
In shortage: Belgium, Romania, Spain.
Longest-running shortage: Italy, 3 years.
Select a place on the map to see its figures.
About this source›
Source: ELA/EURES labour shortages and surpluses. Readings are published at occupation-group level, and cover Europe. Editions differ in annex layout and country coverage, so a change between years does not always mean the labour market changed. Countries in grey were not reported, which is not the same as being in balance.
What these words mean
The four things this section reports
- Reported demand
- Whether employers report needing people in this job — a judgement published by a national or EU body, not a count.
- Where it is heading
- Which way employment in this job is expected to move over the coming years, from an official projection.
- Openings
- Roughly how many openings arise — from growth and from people leaving the job.
- Typical pay
- What people in this job typically earn where the source publishes it. Blank does not mean unpaid; it means nobody publishes it for that place.
A measure is left out when nobody publishes it for that place, rather than shown as zero.
Which way the market leans for you
- In your favour
- More openings than people looking — employers are competing for candidates.
- Balanced
- Openings and candidates are roughly matched.
- Competitive
- More people looking than openings — expect to compete.
- Mixed evidence
- Sources disagree, or the same occupation group is short in one part and oversupplied in another.
Every source resolves to one of these four, so there is a single vocabulary to learn. What differs is the evidence behind it, which is printed underneath each verdict — a measured ratio of openings to jobseekers, or an assessment published by a national body.
How this job compares with other jobs in the same country
- Strong
- Among the strongest in that country
- Good
- Stronger than most jobs in that country
- Mixed
- About typical for that country
- Weak
- Weaker than most jobs in that country
This is a rank within one country, not a score you can carry across borders — the registers behind two countries count different people, so the same number means different things in each. It is also why a job can be among the strongest in a country and still show as Competitive: it leads the field in a market that is crowded overall.
Where these come from
Every figure is published by a national statistics office, a public employment service or an EU body, and each card names its source and the period it covers. Some places are counted monthly, others assessed once or twice a year, so two places on the same map can be describing different moments — the date is always shown.
None of this predicts one person’s chances. It describes a market.
Reported demand · Typical pay · Where it is heading (United States, Ireland, Australia, Malta)
| Reported demand | Typical pay | Where it is heading | |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Not reported | $90,360 2025-05 | +4.9% 2024–2034 · BLS 2024-2034 |
| Ireland | Not reported | — | +21.6% 2023–2035 · Cedefop 2026 * |
| Australia | Shortage reported Jobs and Skills Australia 2025 * | — | — |
| Malta | Shortage reported ELA/EURES 2024 * | — | — |
* Published for occupation groups, not for individual job titles.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS)
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Future Outlook for performance flying director
The outlook for performance flying director reflects a balanced mix of automation exposure and durable, human-led work.
How are these scores calculated?
The Resilience Score (0–100) estimates how structurally protected this occupation is from automation and AI disruption, based on task-level analysis. Higher scores mean more human-judgment-intensive tasks. AI Exposure shows the estimated percentage of task hours that current AI capabilities could affect. These are model-derived structural indicators, not predictions about individual job security.
How could performance flying director change as AI adoption grows?
This role is likely to change gradually, with AI supporting selected tasks rather than replacing the whole occupation.
Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.
This role is likely to change gradually, with AI supporting selected tasks rather than replacing the whole occupation.
Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.
Model-based estimate. Use it as a planning signal, not a guarantee.
Compare this to your profile
How AI may change this role
Deterministic, model-based interpretation of current role signals — not a guarantee of replacement.
What still depends on people
- work ergonomically
- provide first aid
- use personal protection equipment
Where AI may become a co-pilot
- analyse the artistic concept based on stage actions
- write risk assessment on performing arts production
- analyse music score
Tasks most exposed to automation
- analyse a script
Vital Signs & AI Vectors
AI Exposure Vectors
0-100%Exposure to content generation, creative augmentation, and large language model tools
Exposure to AI-assisted analysis, pattern recognition, and predictive modelling tasks
Exposure to physical automation, robotics, and sensor-driven task displacement
Exposure to workflow automation, decision-support software, and process digitisation
Technical Details
NexFuture v3.0 estimates automation exposure natively from ESCO essential-skill groups, weighted by skill mass and calibrated against expert anchors. Scores are probabilistic estimates, not guarantees. See the NexFuture Methodology White Paper for full details.
Measures automation exposure. It does not measure pay, demand, or how many jobs exist near you.
What people in this role usually do
Arts, Entertainment, & Design
A typical day as a performance flying director
09 09:00 · Morning maintain flying harnesses
10 10:30 · Mid-morning maintain artist flying system
12 12:00 · Midday adapt existing designs to changed circumstances
14 14:00 · Afternoon adapt to artists' creative demands
15 15:30 · Late afternoon analyse a script
17 17:00 · Wrap-up analyse music score
Task order is illustrative. Individual days vary.
What you need to do this work
The skills, knowledge and tools this role calls for — and the traits and rewards that come with it.
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understand artistic concepts
Interpret an artist's explanation or demonstration of their artistic concepts, inceptions and processes and strive to share their vision.
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design flying movements
Design flying movements for artists in a live performance.
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attend rehearsals
Attend rehearsals in order to adapt sets, costumes, make-up, lighting, camera set up, etc.
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identify technical resources for performances
Identify the technical equipment required for rehearsals and performances and the necessary production elements such as sets, props and costumes.
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translate artistic concepts to technical designs
Cooperate with the artistic team in order to facilitate the transition from the creative vision and its artistic concepts to a technical design.
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define artistic approach
Define your own artistic approach by analysing your previous work and your expertise, identifying the components of your creative signature, and starting from these explorations to describe your artistic vision.
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adapt existing designs to changed circumstances
Adapt an existing design to changed circumstances and ensure that the artistic quality of the original design is reflected in the final result.
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develop design concept
Research information to develop new ideas and concepts for the design of a specific production. Read scripts and consult directors and other production staff members, in order to develop design concepts and plan productions.
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develop design ideas cooperatively
Share and develop design ideas with the artistic team. Conceptualise new ideas independently and with others. Present your idea, gain feedback and take it into account. Make sure the design fits with the work of other designers.
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work ergonomically
Apply ergonomy principles in the organisation of the workplace while manually handling equipment and materials.
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use personal protection equipment
Make use of protection equipment according to training, instruction and manuals. Inspect the equipment and use it consistently.
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prevent fire in a performance environment
Take steps to prevent fire in a performance environment. Make sure the space complies with fire safety rules, with sprinklers and fire extinguishers installed where necessary. Make sure staff are aware of fire prevention measures.
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work safely with chemicals
Take the necessary precautions for storing, using and disposing chemical products.
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work with respect for own safety
Apply the safety rules according to training and instruction and based on a solid understanding of the prevention measures and risks to your own personal health and safety.
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follow safety procedures when working at heights
Take necessary precautions and follow a set of measures that assess, prevent and tackle risks when working at a high distance from the ground. Prevent endangering people working under these structures and avoid falls from ladders, mobile scaffolding, fixed working bridges, single person lifts etc. since they may cause fatalities or major injuries.
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analyse the artistic concept based on stage actions
Analyse the artistic concept, form and structure of a live performance based on observation during rehearsals or improvisation. Create a structured base for the design process of a specific production.
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analyse music score
Analysing the score, form, themes and structure of a piece of music.
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contextualise artistic work
Identify influences and situate your work within a specific trend which may be of an artistic, aesthetic, or philosophical natures. Analyse the evolution of artistic trends, consult experts in the field, attend events, etc.
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maintain flying harnesses
Check, maintain and repair the harnesses and flying systems used to move actors through the air, giving the impression of flying.
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prevent technical problems with flying equipment
Anticipate technical issues with flying equipment and prevent them where possible.
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manage technical resources stock
Manage and monitor technical resources stock to ensure that production demands and deadlines can be met at all times.
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rehearse artist fly movements
Help the artist rehearse their flying movements using the appropriate equipment.
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analyse the scenography
Analyse the selection and distribution of material elements on a stage.
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maintain artist flying system
Install, operate, maintain and repair artist flying systems for onstage purposes.
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research new ideas
Thorough research for information to develop new ideas and concepts for the design of a specific production based.
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conduct costume research
Ensure that costumes and pieces of clothing in visual artistic productions are historically correct, based on research conducted in primary sources as literature, museums, newspapers, pictures, etc.
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coach staff for running the performance
Give instructions to all team members about how they should run the performance.
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prepare performance training session
Prepare a training session for performers. Take into account the training goal, the training space, and performers' health and safety.
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react to emergency situations in a live performance environment
Assess and react to an emergency (fire, threat, accident or another calamity), alerting emergency services and taking appropriate measures to safeguard or evacuate workers, participants, visitors or audience according to the established procedures.
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evacuate people from heights
Safely evacuate people from heights using rope access techniques.
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provide first aid
Administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation or first aid in order to provide help to a sick or injured person until they receive more complete medical treatment.
Path to become a performance flying director
What it typically takes to qualify: education level, where it is a regulated profession, and where to study.
Short-cycle tertiary education
142 programmes in 22 countries teach the core skills of this job. Plus 157 short courses that build single skills.
A few examples, taught in the language of this page:
Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama School · New Zealand
These are 6 of 299.
Sources
- 1. Source: Commonwealth of Australia (Department of Education), CRICOS, data.gov.au, CC BY 2.5 AU. Data as at 30/09/2026. Adapted by NexPath.
- 2. Source: Study in Korea, National Institute for International Education (NIIED) (studyinkorea.go.kr).
- 3. Source: Study with New Zealand (studywithnewzealand.govt.nz), Education New Zealand. Copyright in the material is owned by Education New Zealand (All content (c) Education New Zealand). Listings are provided by the education providers, are for information and promotional purposes only, and are not endorsed by Education New Zealand; each provider is responsible for its own content.
- 4. Irish course data from Qualifax (qualifax.ie), run by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI).
Growth Pathways & Similar Roles
Explore typical career progression paths, adjacent skills, and similar roles to plan your next transition.
Where does performance flying director fit?
Similarity scores based on skill overlap from ESCO data.
For organisations
The data on this page, working for your students, clients and staff.
Frequently asked questions
What kind of training or experience is typically needed to become a performance flying director?
What are the biggest safety considerations in this role?
How does the role of a performance flying director interact with other creative roles in a production?
How much does Performance Flying Director pay in the United States?
Sources: ESCO O*NET ELA/EURES Cedefop BLS Data updated October 19, 2026 About our data