The most fundamental difference is that Associates do not file contracts and Members must file each and every time they work. For more information go to the SDC Membership page of the website. And you can always call or email Membership@SDCweb.org for more information.

Joining requirements vary by contract. Please contact Member Services if you’re unsure if you’re required to join.

SDC is a national community of professional stage directors and choreographers. By joining as an Associate or Full Member, you are making a declaration that you are a professional in your field. As a Full Member filing contracts, you are protected under SDC’s agreements for right of first refusal, property rights, and other basic protections. As an Associate Member, you become part of an esteemed community of artists.

As a Full Member you must file contracts anytime and anywhere you direct or choreograph. We have a variety of contracts, including contracts for theatres that do not have a Collectively Bargained Agreement with us. Should you encounter a theatre or producer who is concerned about hiring you because you are an SDC Member, please let us know (email Contracts@SDCweb.org). However, being an SDC Member should never prevent you from working.

Once you become a Full Member every theatre is an SDC theatre. Our contracts cover activity from Broadway to academic institutions to festivals.  Please get in touch with Contract Affairs (email Contracts@SDCweb.org) to see which contract you should be filing for your work.

In most cases it shouldn’t.  SDC contracts set minimum terms for fees, pension and health contributions. Often the compensation a theatre is already offering professional Directors and Choreographers is within SDC minimums. If you need additional information on what contract applies to a particular employer, please contact Contract Affairs.

“SDC currently covers Associate work in the following jurisdictions:
• Broadway & First-Class Tours
o If you are an Associate Member or Full Member working as an Associate or Resident on a Broadway production or first class tour, the elective SDC Associate Contract is available for you to request. If secured, Associate Members are required to upgrade to Full Membership prior to the effective date of their contract.
• Non-Equity Tours
o If you are a Full Member working as an Associate on a Non-Equity Tour, the producer is required to file an SDC contract for your work.
o If you are working as a Restager on a Non-Equity Tour, regardless of your Membership status, the producer is required to cover you on an SDC contract. This contract requires that you join SDC or upgrade to Full Membership prior to the first rehearsal date.
• Regional Musical Theatre
o If you are a Full Member working as an Associate or Assistant at a theatre covered by the Regional Musical Theatre Agreement, the theatre is required to file an SDC contract for your work.

If your Associate or Assistant work is outside of these jurisdictions, you can be a Member and still take these jobs.

Please contact Contract Affairs (email Contracts@SDCweb.org) for more information on the above or with questions regarding other jurisdictions.”

To apply for Full or Associate Membership, we require a completed application and a current resume. Materials may be submitted online, emailed to Membership@SDCweb.org or mailed to Membership, SDC, 321 West 44th Street, Suite 804, NY NY 10036.

After your application has been approved and payment has been made, you will be voted into Membership by the Executive Board at their next meeting.

SDC cannot help you find an agent, but we can provide you with names of talent agencies that represent Directors and Choreographers.

We are not an employment agency. We are a union. However, we do post job listings in our Member Portal, which Members and Associates can access. We also encourage everyone to take advantage of our unique networking opportunities. We are continually working to expand Union jurisdiction which will create more job opportunities for Members.

If you are a non-Member Director or Choreographer who is not a U.S. citizen you may be eligible to join, depending on which contract you are working under.  Please contact Member Services (email Membership@SDCweb.org) for more information.

SDC is a national labor union and at this time covers stage work in the United States only. However, some contracts cover work that begins in the U.S. and has additional companies overseas.  Please contact Contract Affairs (email Contracts@SDCweb.org) for more information.

SDCF Observerships are open to the public.  SDCF Fellowships for emerging artists are also open to the public.  Fellowships for established artists are limited to SDC Full Members and Associates.  For more information click here,  and if you have questions about Foundation Observerships or Fellowships, please send an email to Foundation@SDCweb.org.

You do not have to be a Full Member or Associate to attend DCN panel discussions or One-on-Ones; however there is occasionally a nominal attendance fee, which is reduced or waived for Members and Associates.