This is my final letter as SDC Board President. I have tasked myself with writing about the accomplishments that we achieved together over the last three years. It’s less of a snapshot and more of an unfolding tapestry, true to our three-part mission verbs: Unite. Empower. Protect.
Engagement in Union activities has increased around the country. There have been 61 Member events outside of New York City between January 2017 and September 2019. SDC joining the Department of Professional Employees puts us at the center of fellow entertainment union conversations and the ability to develop a legislative agenda.
SDC fight choreographers for the first time are covered under the LORT, Off-Broadway, and ANTC agreements. Over 10,000 days of development work has been covered in these last few years. With the New England Area Theatres, we now have a new multi-employer Collectively Bargained Agreement—the first in several decades. We have formed Boston and Seattle Steering Committees and have begun more on-the-ground work in London alongside our sister, the more nascent SDUK. SDC Associate Memberships are up 10 percent from 2018, driven by our newly but securely established relationships with higher education organizations nationwide. We have seen great progress on coverage for Broadway associate/resident directors and choreographers; all general management offices, save one, have recognized these Members by filing a promulgated agreement when hiring.
I have had the profound pleasure to sit on a Board that is generous, smart, and working in the field on all contracts. To chair our monthly meetings is to get a precious glimpse of how folks maybe lead their rehearsal halls and design meetings: collaboratively, well prepared but also flexible, in conversation with each other. Forty-two percent of Board Members live outside the NYC/Tri-State area. To better handle the increased workload, we have added a Second and Third Vice President to the Executive Committee.
The diligent Contract Affairs Department has in the last three years secured over $1 million in underpayments to our Members and the funds. We have launched a Supplemental Benefits Task Force to solidify an Emergency Assistance Fund for our Members and their families.
SDC has updated its rights and responsibilities to address expectations for workplace conduct and implement intimacy choreography training for the Board. We also amended our bylaws to be ever more transparent about conflict-of-interest issues and Board service, making clear to Board Members and Members At-Large alike that we hold ourselves to the highest standards.
We celebrated together the 60th anniversary of the Union by holding up the choreographers among us, honoring Vicky Traube and co-founder Agnes de Mille. I got to introduce the First Lady of New York City the evening we honored Kenny Leon with the “Mr. Abbott” Award and sip tea the following year with Julie Taymor after her “Mr. Abbott” event. This coming season, we celebrate Joe Mantello. All in a fundraising effort for the SDC Foundation for artists coming up. I also feel very grateful to have given the President’s Award for long-standing exceptional service to SDC to Sheryl Kaller, Sharon Ott, and Robert Moss.
The Union is where we come together over the course of our careers, where ideas large and small get voiced and turned into action, if we are so inclined. We gather to build and better the field. The Union is only as good as its Members and its staff, which is pretty damn good. I am excited to see what Evan Yionoulis, our new Board Prez, and the incomparable Laura Penn do next. Hear! Hear! To my colleagues, collaborators, mentors, and mentees, it has been a great honor serving as your President. I hope to continue my Board service. No matter, I will continue to work hard to unite, empower, and protect.
In Solidarity,
Pam MacKinnon
Executive Board President (through 11/18/19)