Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/716514
SAGAFTRA.org | Summer 2016 | SAG-AFTRA 43 EVP TALKS PTEOE E xecutive Vice President Rebecca Damon joined Missouri Valley President Tom Murray, National Board member Rodger Brand, and the Missouri Valley Local Board, membership and staff in St. Louis for a presentation on the President's Task Force on Education, Outreach and Engagement on May 24. In her second visit to Missouri Valley — she previously attended a Kansas City membership meeting in May 2015 — she discussed the union's plans at the national level and met with franchised agents, casting directors and broadcast units. Damon, who is a member of the task force, heard from members about concerns related to the Midwest and talked about ways to build a stronger local. Nevada Executive Vice President Rebecca Damon, back row left, with Missouri Valley Local members on May 24 NATIONAL LEADERS VISIT LOCAL T he Nevada Local held its spring membership meeting at the Teamsters Local 631 hall on May 1. Members were fortunate to hear from two of the union's leaders, Secretary- Treasurer Jane Austin and National Board member Abby Dylan. It was a great opportunity for Nevada members to ask questions and learn more about their union. Austin provided an update on various issues of national concern and spent time talking with those in attendance about the challenges they face living in a right-to-work-for-less state. Dylan spoke passionately on behalf of the President's Task Force on Education, Outreach & Engagement. The task force's goal is to engage, inspire, educate and empower SAG-AFTRA members across the country. Dylan delivered a powerful message: "Just by being here, you are already leaders," she said. SCREEN AND STAGE N ew England members were treated to a panel discussion with three veteran screen and stage principal actors during the June 6 conservatory at the New England Local office. Members Georgia Lyman, Tom Kemp and Lewis D. Wheeler discussed the similarities and differences between working in the two mediums. Key to the discussion was the engagement of a live audience in theater as opposed to TV and film, where the focus is on the interaction between the actors in the scene. Panelists discussed the lack of rehearsal time in film and television, and the responsibility of the actor to research and work on the script solo before filming. That was contrasted with theater, in which actors have the benefit of working sequentially and with multiple rehearsals to develop characters and the story. By the opening night of a show, the director becomes less involved and it's up to the actors to make it happen, said Wheeler. New England Members Lewis D. Wheeler and Georgia Lyman at the June 6 conservatory event in Boston Secretary-Treasurer Jane Austin and National Board member Abby Dylan join the Nevada Local Board for the local's spring membership meeting on May 1. Members of the Ohio-Pittsburgh Local celebrate another successful year with Vice President, Broadcasters Catherine Brown and National Board member Abby Dylan at the local's annual meeting on May 9 at Olive or Twist in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Ohio-Pittsburgh Missouri Valley