JOINT PRESS RELEASE

Marella Martin Koch
Communications Manager, SDC
P: 646-524-2225
 MMartinKoch@SDCweb.org

Katie Barrows
Research and Communications Associate, DPE
P: 202-638-0320 x115
 Kbarrows@dpeaflcio.org

February 21, 2017, NEW YORK—The Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC) has become an affiliate of the Department for Professional Employees, AFL-CIO (DPE), joining a coalition of national unions that collectively represent over four million professional and technical employees.

“DPE is excited to welcome SDC as an affiliate,” said DPE President Paul E. Almeida. “Professional occupations—like stage directors and choreographers—are the future of both the workforce and the labor movement. DPE looks forward to working with SDC to advance its members’ interests.”

DPE provides affiliates with a forum to discuss issues of common concern and take collective action. SDC, a theatrical union, will have the ability to collaborate with DPE’s 10 other arts and entertainment member unions. Additionally, SDC will have the opportunity to engage with unions representing professionals in other industries and have access to DPE organizing and research-related resources.

SDC President Pam MacKinnon stated, “The Membership have voiced an understandable and loud desire for our Union to engage politically. We are a national Union of high standing professionals, problem solvers, and leaders. Becoming an affiliate of the DPE is a concrete way for SDC to contribute to larger political action.”

The Department for Professional Employees (DPE) is a coalition of 22 unions representing over four million professional and technical union members. DPE affiliate unions represent professionals in over 300 occupations in education and healthcare; science, engineering, and technology; legal, business, and management; media, entertainment, and the arts; and public administration.

SDC is the theatrical union that represents 4,000 professional stage Directors and Choreographers throughout the United States. Its mission is to foster a national community of professional stage directors and choreographers by protecting the rights, health, and livelihoods of all its Members.

SDC has jurisdiction over the employment of directors and choreographers working in the following areas: Broadway and National tours, Off-Broadway, ANTC (Association of Non-Profit Theatre Companies, New York City), Resident Theatre (League of Resident Theatres – LORT), Resident summer stock companies (Council of Resident Stock Theatres – CORST/TSS), Dinner Theatre (Dinner Theatre Agreement – DTA), Regional Musical Theatre (RMT), and Outdoor musical stock (OMS).