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Union requirements??

cupofjo
Swing
joined:7/15/19
Swing
joined:
7/15/19
Union requirements??#1
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
Broadway Legend
joined:8/13/09
Broadway Legend
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Dressers#2
Posted: 7/15/19 at 10:30am

Yes, all dressers on Broadway are union positions.

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HeyMrMusic
Broadway Legend
joined:5/16/04
Broadway Legend
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Dressers#3
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
Broadway Legend
joined:8/13/09
Broadway Legend
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Dressers#4
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
Broadway Legend
joined:5/16/04
Broadway Legend
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Dressers#5
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
Stand-by
joined:2/6/13
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Dressers#6
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. 

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broadwayguy2
Broadway Legend
joined:5/18/03
Broadway Legend
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Dressers#7
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
Broadway Legend
joined:5/16/04
Broadway Legend
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Dressers#8
Posted: 7/15/19 at 2:09pm
At that point, though, they would be SM subs and under union contracts, right?