Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/1256324
12 • THE ARTISAN SPRING 2020 Dear Brothers and Sisters, I hope this finds you and yours safe and well. This wild ride is obviously unlike anything we've ever experienced before. I am sure I speak for the majority when I say being quarantined is NOT easy. I had a brief time when I thought I may actually get lots done while working remotely. Wow, I was wrong. I have been overwhelmed with the love and support our members have been showing for each other. In Theme Park, Theater and Pink Contracts, we were hit hard in the beginning of all of this. In our work, we are surrounded by a large amount of people. From the cast and crew to our wonderful audiences. Show by show, we were shut down in a matter of days. Most being shut down in one day. I remember with each call I received, sinking back in my chair in shock. Throughout my career, I have spent a significant amount of time teaching and training and helping others where I can. When I applied for this position and was hired, I could have never foreseen anything quite as extreme as what we are experiencing now. The IATSE has been our rock. The wealth of information and support makes me so proud to be from such a "Union Strong" family. One of the benefits of our members is most of us have 600 to 1,600 hours of safety and sanitation training. If you are a cosmetologist, you must have 1,600 hours of hands-on training. Six hundred hours are required for an esthetician. Then you have to pass very strict California state safety and sanitation tests. Although make-up artists have no state-mandated licensing requirement, they have extensive training in safety and sanitation as well. Our member's job is to keep the talent safe, as well as themselves. One of the most conscience places for fellow workers and talent to be is in the knowledgable care of our make-up artist and hair stylist chair. We will be on the "front lines" when we get back to work. That being said, I want to wholeheartedly thank the men and women that have been working beyond extreme measures on the front lines. Many of us have family and friends that work in that industry. Love, and light, to all of you. We have shown a great amount of strength thus far. My hope is that we continue to be kind to each other. My hope is we come out of this stronger than ever. Having better knowledge. That we stand up as a group, and lead the way forward. My faith in all of you has surpassed the boundaries of what I thought possible. I am so proud of who and how our industry is performing during these extremely difficult times. I am "Union Proud and Union Strong." In Solidarity, Patrice K. Madrigal BY PATRICE K. MADRIGAL Theater Business Representative I.A.T.S.E. Local 706 Theme Park, Theater & Broadcast Television News SHOW NEWS