About me: Local 48 is the Chartered representative of The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Moving Picture Technicians, Artists and Allied Crafts of the United States, Its Territories and Canada, AFL-CIO, CLC, (I.A.T.S.E.) in Akron, Ohio. Our jurisdiction runs halfway to Steubenville and Columbus on the South, halfway to Cleveland on the North, halfway to Warren/ Niles on the east; and halfway to Toledo and Lima on the West .
Local 48 represents professional Stagehands and extras in negotiations with local employers. Currently Local 48 has contracts or working agreements with The Akron Civic Theatre, Lock3 Live!, The John S. Knight Center, E. J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall, Goodyear Theater, Blossom Music Center, Canton Memorial Civic Center, Convincing Sound Archives, North Coast Theatrical, Akron Theatrical Services, Cox Rigging, Tiffin Scenic Studios, Tuesday Musical Association, the Akron Symphony Orchestra, Children's Hospital, The Professional Football Hall of Fame, Vee Corporation (Sesame Street) and Soundfold Inc.
Local 48 currently represents 73 full members, 2 gold card retired members and about 80 extras. We have more active members now than at any time prior to 1980. Among the disciplines covered are, Carpentry, Set Building, Lighting, Electrics, Fly's, Rigging, PowerPoint/Computer operation, Sound, Props, Carpet Laying, Fork Lift operation, Truck Loading, Video and Wardrobe. Local 48 was chartered September 9, 1897, and has served the needs of Akron's Theaters for more than 100 years. The Local has been involved with E. J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall since before it was built in 1973. We have been in the Akron Civic Theater, formerly the Akron Loew's, since it was constructed in 1929. We were a major part of the operation of the Coliseum from the time it was contructed (1972) until it was torn down (1999). And we have been a major part of many other theaters that no longer exist in Akron such as the Everett at the corner of Main and Market Streets, the Colonial which was on the corner of High and Mill Streets, The Palace and State Theatres, which were on Main Street. The Local has six members working at the John S. Knight Convention Center and has been the sole union representative in the building since it was opened.
Who I'd like to meet: Concert Promoters,
Stage Managers,
Roadies,
Event Coordinators,
Production Managers
Tour Managers,
Lighting Designers,
Head Riggers,
Sound Engineers,
Vidiots!
