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Union requirements??

Union requirements??

cupofjo
#1Union requirements??
Posted: 7/15/19 at 10:14am

Does anyone know if being in the Theatrical Wardrobe Union is required to be a dresser on Broadway? I know it’s obviously helpful but is it a must?

Updated On: 7/15/19 at 10:14 AM

AEA AGMA SM
#2Dressers
Posted: 7/15/19 at 10:30am

Yes, all dressers on Broadway are union positions.

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HeyMrMusic
#3Dressers
Posted: 7/15/19 at 10:31am

Yes, you must be a member of IATSE to be a dresser on Broadway. All positions on Broadway shows are union, even the ushers.

AEA AGMA SM
#4Dressers
Posted: 7/15/19 at 10:40am

Not all positions. Production Assistants are still left out to dry, and that's causing a big internal debate amongst Equity stage managers right now whether they should be covered under the Production Contract, as a large majority of them are already Equity members and they are doing a lot more these days than just getting coffee and making copies.

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HeyMrMusic
#5Dressers
Posted: 7/15/19 at 11:10am

Production assistants definitely do more than that. Are they typically around after a production is open?

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IronMan
#6Dressers
Posted: 7/15/19 at 11:13am

You do not have to be a full-fledged union member to work on a Broadway wardrobe crew- BUT you must be registered with the union (Theatrical Wardrobe Union Local #764).  To register, you must have several years of experience working wardrobe, letters of recommendation from supervisors/co-workers, and of course pay a fee. I'm not sure of the exact requirements as of now, but if you check with #764 they could tell you. I don't know how many applicants are accepted, but the sure way is to already have a job offer.

Once you are working on a show and you have accumulated 30 days' work (on one production) you must officially join the union or stop working. 


"What- and quit show business?" - the guy shoveling elephant shit at the circus.

broadwayguy2
#7Dressers
Posted: 7/15/19 at 1:54pm

Yes, Production Assistants do a LOT of very detailed work and they can often become subs for the Stage Management department after the show opens.

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HeyMrMusic
#8Dressers
Posted: 7/15/19 at 2:09pm

At that point, though, they would be SM subs and under union contracts, right?


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