Production Assistants Unionise

As of 22 September, the Actors’ Equity Association has recognised a new title for its members: Production Assistants. This is the first time in decades the union has supported a new role within itself and the first time Production Assistants unionise.

The Actors Equity Association was founded in May of 1913, and has since grown to represent more than 51,000 professionals in the industry. This includes Actors, Stage Managers, and once the agreement has finalised Production Assistants as well. With the ongoing strikes of SAG-AFTRA and WGA, this could eventually cause an entire standstill for Broadway and national tours if the union ever decides to go on strike. This would be the detriment to the entire entertainment industry, yet continues to prove that without crew there would be no shows for audiences.

“We are thrilled to support the effort of Broadway’s production assistants to complete the unionization of Broadway’s stage management teams, and we look forward to achieving the fair and meaningful contract they have long deserved.” said by Actors Equity Association 3rd Vice President.

So what do Production Assistants do and why is it time to finally recognise their roles as part of the union? Production Assistants practically do everything. Literally.

• They help prep rehearsal spaces with the technical crew and make sure everything stays on schedule as best as possible. Even things that are completely out of their control, they will somehow find a way to manage it.

• They arrive early to the venues to ensure the venues have everything that was specified in the tech rider (advancement sheets for America).

• They run errands in cities they have never been to before trying to look for things that the venues forgot to include or couldn’t find themselves that directors and actors claim they absolutely need otherwise they won’t do the show. And there are some pretty ridiculous demands.

• They assist the stage management team in wrangling the actors when the actors are taking too long in the dressing rooms, and getting the actors changed for quick changes during the show.

• They print and organise daily paperwork (like sign in sheets for backstage and reminders about things still needing to be done by the entire team such as requests for time off).

• They direct temporary crew like catering crew or camera operators if the show is being filmed.
  

• They hold every script version ever printed with every adjustment ever made.

• They take and manage notes of every meeting, even ones that they probably are not part of.

• They constantly answer their phone while juggling 500 email chains.

• The list goes on and on for these unsung heroes backstage.

Production Assistants are overdue for these contracts to unionise and have well deserved it. The unionisation would include Production Assistants currently working on 10 Broadway Productions and join over 100 other Production Assistants who worked on Broadway in the past two years.

Also by Drew Janine:

Input Patch Template

Benefits During Strikes

Join TheatreArtLife to access unlimited articles, our global career center, discussion forums, and professional development resource guide. Your investment will help us continue to ignite connections across the globe in live entertainment and build this community for industry professionals. Learn more about our subscription plans.

Love to write or have something to say? Become a contributor with TheatreArtLife. Join our community of industry leaders working in artistic, creative, and technical roles across the globe. Visit our CONTRIBUTE page to learn more or submit an article.