SAN DIEGO, CA — Production workers at the San Diego Musical Theatre (SDMT) have voted overwhelmingly to unionize with the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 122. The 18-member unit includes wardrobe department staff, stitchers, dressers, audio technicians, spotlight operators, deck crew, stage managers, and assistant stage managers.
San Diego Musical Theatre is a community theatre that presents musical productions in an intimate 172-seat venue. The theatre also operates the SDMT Academy, which brings in young people from the community to learn about theatre arts.
Workers began meeting with IATSE Local 122 representatives in December 2025 after reaching out to the union seeking representation. Over the following months, workers built solidarity and support for unionization despite facing resistance from management.
The company conducted an anti-union campaign that included attempts to hold a captive audience meeting, which had to be cancelled when no workers confirmed attendance, along with personal appeals from management to reject the union. Despite these attempts to bust the workers’ union, the group remained united in their commitment to securing representation.
“Building the theatre community has always been a priority for our Local,” said Robert Morales, Business Representative for IATSE Local 122. “By organizing SDMT, we continue to build union density which in return helps us negotiate better contracts for everyone and uplift the industry.”
Patricia Lutz, SDMT Wardrobe Supervisor, spoke on the importance of collective representation: “Having union representation means I have a voice, that I am not alone when it comes to holding the company accountable for safety and working conditions. I am looking forward to working with the company to make much needed improvements and to have better job security.”
The newly organized crew will now negotiate their first collective bargaining agreement with San Diego Musical Theatre, joining IATSE’s growing movement of organized production workers at community and regional theatres throughout North America. Entertainment workers interested in unionizing their workplace can visit iatse.net/join to contact an organizer.
