For many Creighton students, working as a barista or in retail, waiting tables, or whiling away long office hours at an internship are attractive options to pad their wallets over the summer.

For Tim McCandless, those job options weren’t quite enough.

Since May 5, the senior theatre major has been employed as a lighting technician with Theatrical Media Services, a company that provides state-of-the art lighting for concert tours, festivals and events. McCandless has worked all over Nebraska and neighboring states setting up for groups such as Styx, Dave Mathews Band and Los Lonely Boys.

McCandless, working on a jazz festival in Aspen, Colo., had to be interviewed via telephone. He said that he is one in a team of four that travels to various locations to prepare, manage and dismantle theatre equipment and described the progression of a typical event.

“Contracts can span up to a week,” he said. “We left Monday for Aspen and spent about 12 hours on the road. The next day we set up the stage. Wednesday we loaded more equipment and on Thursday we put on the finishing touches before the first act. Friday, the show starts and there’s nothing to do – the festival can take care of itself. Sunday night to Monday morning we’ll pack up the trucks. I’m hoping to return Tuesday morning.”

Equipped with a phone number and a little bit of guidance from his major adviser and theater coordinator Bill Van Deest, McCandless networked his way into a job that not only allows him the experience, but pays well and provides the team with catering services and four-star accommodations. McCandless said he appreciates these job perks, especially after a long day in a bus on the road.

Though exhausting with long hours and a schedule of a “hurry-up-and-wait” nature, McCandless greatly values the experience.

“I get to work with people I don’t normally get to work with,” he said. This not only includes an armful of impressive names, but also a high school drama teacher, something McCandless aspires to be.

While adventuresome, the job can be stressful. Lights blow up, wires are short circuited and sets are ravaged by high winds. In the event these things happen, Tim’s the go-to guy.

“Sometimes, I get frustrated because I don’t always know what to do,” he said, like when he found himself facing a task of climbing a 30-foot “truss” — a roof with lights that can be raised and lowered — with only a harness to adjust the lights.

“It’s kind of weird to hop past holes that if you fell through, you fall 30 feet and probably break your legs,” McCandless said. “It was nerve-wracking and I was sweating profusely by the time I got down.”

After a long trip, McCandless said that he is looking forward to coming home, but he still doesn’t get any breaks. Although McCandless’ contract with Theatrical Media Services is only for the summer, he looks forward to the fall to work with various new student programs, such as Welcome Week as a guide and Ratio Studiorum as a Decurion. He also hopes to finish his B.A. in theatre.

Reflecting on his experiences so far this summer, McCandless’ laugh cracked wearily over the phone.

“It’s the busiest summer I’ve ever had. I’m tired, but I’ve learned a lot so far.”