When it comes to the life behind-the-scenes at Birmingham Hippodrome, there’s a great deal more to what goes on here than what happens on stage and in our foyers.

As a key member of the Hippodrome’s IT Services Team, Sam Magson’s job puts him in contact with every aspect of the theatre’s operations from Box Office to Business Development, Conferencing and Events to Communications. Always in demands and forever ready to help, it’s safe to say that Sam’s technical expertise and hands-on IT experience helps keep the business of show-business ticking over here at the Hippodrome.

In our latest blog, we chat to Sam about his busy and eventful role as IT Analyst and which shows he’s most excited about seeing this season… away from the computer screen!

How long have you worked at the Hippodrome?

4 years casual (on bars) 6 years 11 days full time (4 years on stage door)

What made you want to work here?

I started working here on the bar, just as casual staff. Then I got a full-time job working on the stage door for a few years and then the job came up to become an IT analyst.

How would you describe your job?

I help to maintain the Birmingham Hippodrome IT network. This includes everything from the back end servers and patching, through to helping our users with any daily requests and computer needs.

I work closely with the Director of Operations, IT Manager, Business Systems Manager and Business Systems Analyst to ensure that everything runs smoothly for both our staff and customers. As part of my role I also help to support some other local organisations with their IT needs, this can include anything from new computer set up to general support with machines.

How would you describe a typical working day?

I come in and make sure everyone is alright check the helpdesk and continue with the current projects we have going on. Also I report on systems to make sure everything is performing well. Of course I also help everyone if they’re having a technical problem in the office too, which I actually won a ‘Hippodrome Headliner’ award for! – ha!

What’s the favourite part of your job?

Probably getting to work with some of the equipment we get to work with as its very advanced equipment and it’s great to have the opportunity to build that kind of equipment.

What’s your favourite production in general?

Avenue Q because it’s so funny. Actually, funny story is I had the job to help one of the cast members when the tour was last here, to set up an Xbox in his dressing room, and then actually spent my lunch breaks from then on playing fifa with him and the rest of the cast!

What are you most proud of achieving here?

I’d say it would be the way I have built my career here, I am really proud to have worked my way up in the business and feel lucky to be in the position I am in now.

What production are you most looking forward to?

I’m most looking forward to this year’s Panto Cinderella so I can take my son George!