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Home » Guest Column » We Must Stay Ahead of the Replacement Technology Curve


We Must Stay Ahead of the Replacement Technology Curve

November 1, 2024

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by Michael Epperhart, Theatrical Trade Negotiator, AFM Theatre/Touring/Booking Division

As the newly appointed AFM theatrical trade negotiator, I wanted to provide the backstory of how I came into this role. In addition, I would like to outline my work, goals, and current focus in our AFM community.

I spent 15 years on the road with different union Broadway show tours. During the 2016 Pamphlet B and 2022 COVID touring negotiations, I served as a player representative. After the Beautiful tour closed in July 2022, then AFM President Ray Hair and Theatre/Touring/Booking Division Director George Fiddler asked me to come work for the AFM.

Because I have experience touring under both full and short engagement tour (SET) contracts, I am able to provide the Theatre/Touring/Booking Division with first-hand experience of how both contracts are implemented for players out on the road.

After becoming a full-time employee of the division, I again became involved in Pamphlet B negotiations; this time for the 2023 agreement. In that role, I gained more experience at the negotiation table. That experience, combined with my knowledge of life on the road working under touring agreements, led AFM President Tino Gagliardi to appoint me to the position of theatrical trade negotiator.

The focus of my work is with local officers and bargaining unit members as they negotiate their local theater contracts. I also act as a resource to musicians in those locals when they have questions or concerns.

One byproduct of the 2023 negotiations and agreement was to create a joint Electronic Labor Management Committee. Technology in theater is expanding faster than ever. While we have been dealing with musician replacement technology for decades, we need to make sure we stay ahead of the curve, especially with growth in the use of artificial intelligence (AI). I am currently building a roster of players for the joint committee and researching AI as a whole and in all areas related to music.

I look forward to interacting with our members and officers. I can be reached at mepperhart@afm.org.






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