Podcast Episode #20 – The Perspective from the Other Side of the Table with Local One Pres., James Claffey.

One of the reasons I started this podcast is because I was getting tired of the sound of my own voice typing.  I wanted to hear other people’s perspectives.  And I wanted you to hear other people’s perspectives, as well.

But I didn’t want just other Producers.  That would be too easy.  And you never learn anything from one point of view.

It’s important when studying any subject, from Broadway to Biology, to get all sorts of opinions on the state of the state, and all sorts of ideas on how to improve its future.

That’s why I so very much wanted to interview James Claffey, Jr., the President of Local One, the powerful Stagehands’ union.  And I was super excited when he said, “Absolutely.”

At first thought, you might think that the head of one of the most powerful unions in the country would be “the opposition,” but the fact is, as you’ll hear from “Jimmy” in this enlightening podcast, we’re all on the same team.  Listen in to hear . . .

  • How one becomes a Stagehand and how you can, too.
  • Why he responds to emails he gets right away, even at midnight.
  • The one myth about Stagehands that he can’t stand.
  • What the 2007 Broadway Stagehands Strike taught him.
  • The one crisis that is crippling all unions and all companies, including Producers.

It’s easy to assume certain things about people, companies, etc. you don’t know (I see this on message boards all the time).   I urge you all to get to know people that you think are on “the other side” of whatever issue you’re working on.

And you should start with James Claffey, Jr.  (Oh, and maybe soon, an agent!)

Click here to listen.

Listen to it on iTunes here.  (And give me a rating, while you’re there!)

Download it here.

 

(Got a comment? I love ‘em, so comment below! Email Subscribers, click here then scroll down to say what’s on your mind!)

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Ken created one of the first Broadway podcasts, recording over 250 episodes over 7 years. It features interviews with A-listers in the theater about how they “made it”, including 2 Pulitzer Prize Winners, 7 Academy Award Winners and 76 Tony Award winners. Notable guests include Pasek & Paul, Kenny Leon, Lynn Ahrens and more.

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