Michael Kaiser’s Shout-Out to KC Stage Crew

Retiring Kennedy Center President Michael Kaiser paid special tribute to the KC stage crew in a July 7 column on the Huffington Post. “The men and women who run the shows, move the sets, carry the props, light the lights, manage the sound, dress the performers and on and on are among my favorite colleagues in every arts job I have held and the Kennedy Center is no exception,” wrote Kaiser. “What is astonishing about this crew is how interested they are in the quality of the work we do and in the end product… I will miss these men and women of my stage crew…because they made (an) important contribution with their intelligence, professionalism, passion and hard work.” IATSE President Mathew Loeb will make Kaiser an honorary lifetime member at IATSE 22’s Open House this Wednesday (see calendar). The KC locals include IATSE locals 22 (Stagehands); 772 (Wardrobe); 868 (Treasurers & Ticket Sellers); B868 (Ticket Sales Agents); 829 (United Scenic Artists); 798 (Make-Up Artists & Hair Stylists Guild) and ATPAM Local 18032 (Association of Theatrical Press Agents & Managers). 
- based on a post on the IATSE 22 website; photo: KC stagehand on the "War and Peace" set in 2010; photo courtesy The Washington Post 

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