Anyone ever work with, or around, The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees? Their Local 42 assistant BA contacted us to see if we would/could lend them a few bodies during events in our town. Sounds like it might be something to do. Don’t expect it to pay much, but it would get me out of the house.

i know a girl that belongs to that union.  she loves it. i did a setup for a weekend show in Atlanta a few years back. WOW!!! girls and well…..........this is family forum so i will leave it at that. ill just say they AINT SHY!!!

Big Bird,
So you’re saying they have a good benefit package? LOL!

theres a guy in my local that works for them when were slow he loves it

Garlinghouse 231 - 08 March 2010 09:55 AM

Big Bird,
So you’re saying they have a good benefit package? LOL!

YES SIR!!!!

I’m with Local One,IATSE in NYC. I’m curious if these were political events that the Local was helping to round up audience members or if they were looking for stagehands. It’s important that we, as union members, stay involved in politics in order to make our voices heard in DC.

If they were looking for hands, then be prepared for a full days work. These events have to happen on time, so speed and safety is very important. Road boxes come off trailers and there are techniques for safely doing this. If a woman crew member yells at you while you’re doing this, you’d best to listen to her because she’s probably seen people get hurt doing it wrong. If you’re afraid of heights, say so because as you often will be expected to climb 20’, 30’ in the air while setting up and focusing lighting. Female theatrical riggers will work quicker and more safely than some newbie with a he-man complex. If a female electrician tells you she wants cable on a pipe dressed in a certain manner, listen to her as she will have a much better idea of how the whole system works than you do. In my world, union women with skill sets will often excel because of their ability to handle crews and pay attention to the details that make complex events happen.

Once you walk through a stage door, you’re better off carrying a tool bag and not baggage. But that’s in my world.

OneNYCStagehand - 16 March 2010 11:13 AM

I’m with Local One,IATSE in NYC. I’m curious if these were political events that the Local was helping to round up audience members or if they were looking for stagehands. It’s important that we, as union members, stay involved in politics in order to make our voices heard in DC.

If they were looking for hands, then be prepared for a full days work. These events have to happen on time, so speed and safety is very important. Road boxes come off trailers and there are techniques for safely doing this. If a woman crew member yells at you while you’re doing this, you’d best to listen to her because she’s probably seen people get hurt doing it wrong. If you’re afraid of heights, say so because as you often will be expected to climb 20’, 30’ in the air while setting up and focusing lighting. Female theatrical riggers will work quicker and more safely than some newbie with a he-man complex. If a female electrician tells you she wants cable on a pipe dressed in a certain manner, listen to her as she will have a much better idea of how the whole system works than you do. In my world, union women with skill sets will often excel because of their ability to handle crews and pay attention to the details that make complex events happen.

Once you walk through a stage door, you’re better off carrying a tool bag and not baggage. But that’s in my world.

IATSE UNION BROTHERS/SISTERS,
In my first post, I was simply looking for information about your union and locals that represent your union. Since that post I have learned quite a bit about you folks, and can tell you that YOUR respect has already been earned without any words spoken. You good people have been around before some of our Unions started. By no means did I intend to insult your Union or any member (male or female) of your Local Unions. Comments made on the thread, also were not intended to insult anyone! I can promise you that when/if I answer a call from your local #42, I will ,to the best of my ability accomplish any task given to me from anyone who gives me such task without question and with the safety of myself and those around me as the first priority! I don’t carry a “doctor bag”, my tools are on a belt which will not be there. You came to us for help, and I intend to give it as soon as my son is born in the next couple days.

To answer your question, the request is for stagehand help for local events/concerts in Sioux City, IA. Local #42 has so far handled a contract with city owned properties holding events.

Respectfully and Fraternally,
Andrew Garlinghouse
Vice President, I.B.E.W. Local Union 231
Sioux City, IA

hey NYC stage hand!!!!!! and welcome to the great and crazy world of the USA forum.

post pics of the work you do and anything about your work behind the scenes!!  LOL LOL
i have alot of respect for the gals and guys that i worked with a few years ago. yall are truly amazing!!

again welcome and please post often!!

None taken. I get a little touchy as we’ve been getting beat up in the press lately, just like all of labor. I grew up in Iowa but seemed to have developed some NYC pushyness. My grandfather was a veterinarian and I recall many Sat afternoons pheasant hunting with Dad. I would take pheasant sandwiches to school on Mondays.

There is a group on Flickr called “I Work Backstage”. You can get some idea of what we do there.

http://www.flickr.com/groups/iworkbackstage/

It’s pretty common for smaller IA locals to reach out to other trades for help in larger events. Putting up a show in a ballpark in Sioux City, for example, requires pretty much the same amount of manpower as a show at Yankee Stadium. In a lot of Locals, it’s the fire depts that get tapped. Which has lead to any number of stories of load-ins stopping when the fire whistle blows and the crew breaks for the stage door.

A road show is a little like a mobile army unit. It travels light, fast and everything happens in a certain order or the whole thing comes to a halt. The roadies will want things done in a certain manner that makes sense to them. Go with the flow. Everything from how to coil cable in a a road box so it comes out in the right manner in the next stop to being fussy about what they eat. Pizza is not a hot meal! Not when you’re working an 18 hour day and then get on a bus to travel to the next venue. And the next venue. And the next venue. For months and months.

I followed the news about the tax incentives in Iowa and how they ended up helping the insurance companies. The entertainment industry will certainly be continue to be a leader in the economy in the years to come but like any industry, the boardrooms are filled with sharks. Personally, I think the idea of a film industry based in Iowa is pure hustle on somebodies part.

Thanks for the info! Everyone has their own ways of doing things. Ask any apprentice I’ve worked with how to roll up an extension cord! LOL! I will keep what you’ve told me in mind, so maybe I have a jump start.