Determine if a lighting technician is needed or an entire company. If the stage already has lighting or a light control booth, hire a technician. If the stage has no lighting, hire a company.
Decide on the budget for the stage production. Research several stage lighting companies or crews. Narrow the results by looking at the pricing and rate pages of the companies' websites. Make a list of the companies that fit the budget.
Call each company/technician on the list and ask for availability for the dates of the production, including full dress rehearsals. Narrow the list to lighting companies/technicians that meet the time constraints of the show.
Of those remaining on the list, ask each for a list references of the most recent productions or work. Call at least two references for each remaining light company on the list and ask how the lighting company performed, how professional they were and how happy the customer was with their general attitude.