Associate Directors and Choreographers Join SDC Union

The Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC) has announced that they will provide union recognition to associate directors and choreographers on Broadway and tour productions. An interim agreement with the Broadway League to cover associate/resident directors and choreographers is currently being negotiated and will be retroactive to November 2021.

SDC is the national labor union for directors and choreographers working on Broadway, tours and productions across the United States. However, associate directors and choreographers are part of the few Broadway groups not currently represented by a union.

While unionization is a frequent topic in all industries, this particular journey for theatre workers began over the past summer when associates on nine productions showed majority support for unionization and asked their employers for voluntary recognition in the start of their formal campaign. In October, associates from 47 productions submitted a petition to the Broadway League. The organizing committee was co-chaired by Benjamin Endsley Klein, who was most recently associate director for Hairspray in London, and Katie Spelman, former associate choreographer for Moulin Rouge!.

Associates have a difficult job which has only been made harder in Broadway’s return. Associates frequently have duties such as rehearsing understudies and helping run auditions. They keep long-running shows afloat and help to launch new productions. For example, according to Broadway News, Hadestown associates helped during tech week of its return and at the same time helped launch the national tour.

Not only has their workload increased, but associates are not always guaranteed healthcare, something that has become of note especially in coming back during the pandemic. They could negotiate on an individual basis, which lead to unequal representation, according to Broadway News. Unionizing would mean all associates would have access to healthcare which is majorly important for both retaining old employees and gaining new ones.

Associates are an integral part of productions.

Additionally, many directors and choreographers get their start being associates. Ideally, unionization for associates will lead to more joining the field. It is also a major step for Broadway becoming more equitable in all aspects. Unionizing will mean better protection and rights for the workers, especially these associates who are some of the only on Broadway left without union protection. It will benefit new workers and established workers. The industry can grow and be a truly diverse space if anyone can work and feel safe knowing they will be afforded benefits in their jobs.

Negotiations are currently happening and it is uncertain when an agreement will come. Hopefully soon associates will be able to experience benefits and workplace safety other theatre workers already have. And hopefully this will continue Broadway’s growth to becoming a more equitable place for all workers, no matter who they are or what role they play.