Branch Chairs and Committee
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Co-Chair: Abi Turner (they/them)
Lighting Designer and Access Consultant
Website: www.abiturner.co.uk Instagram: @abiturner72
“I’m really looking forward to working alongside all of you in the Branch! - Freelancers are such an essential part of our industry and I can’t wait to get started supporting our branch members, and representing our interests in wider conversations and negotiations in the industry. As a queer and disabled person, it’s incredibly important to me that our branch supports people from marginalised groups, and I’d like to work towards making our committee and working groups more representative of our industry and our amazing members.”
Why should someone join or get more involved with BECTU?
“For freelancers it can be really hard to feel supported in this industry - by joining BECTU and getting involved you can be part of the work we do to improve rates, terms and standards - and we can support each other. A union is its members, and the only way we ensure change happens is by being involved and being part of the work.”
Co-Chair: Joseph Green (he/him)
Associate Sound Designer / Production Sound Engineer
Instagram: @jwgreen.audio
“Despite having been a registered freelancer for 15+ years, it has only been since finishing my last full-time contract in 2022, that I have considered myself a ‘proper’ freelancer. Over the last few years, I have come to understand the structures under which theatre freelancers must work, and importantly, where those structures are inequitable, unethical and unsafe. We must aim to begin fixing these issues, and creating the fair and inclusive work environment that we all deserve.”
Why should someone join or get more involved with BECTU?
“We’ve all encountered challenging circumstances at work, and it can sometimes feel like you’re having to face it alone. BECTU has a fantastic community of members, reps and officials whose experience and support is invaluable in all kinds of difficult situations.”
Committee:
James Stokes (he/him) - Lighting Designer / Programmer / Relighter
Website: www.jamesstokes.lighting
“I've spent my whole career split between PAYE and self employed freelancing, and seeing the difference in contracting, clarity, and security between the two sides of the industry in this way makes me appalled at the way freelancers get treated by many producers. My hope for the branch is that we can come together to ensure that freelancers have the dignity and security they deserve in every contract.”
Why should someone join or get more involved with BECTU?
“Because why would we fight the same fight over and over alone when we could fight and win together? Whether that's on rates of pay, travel expenses, standard of accommodation, or any number of issues, we can all make a difference for ourselves and each other by fighting together.”
Liam McDermott - Sound Designer and Sound Engineer
Instagram: @liammcdermottsd
“As a sound operator in my early years I was always a BECTU member, but felt that regional organisation didn’t really support me or my way of working. Since the Touring Theatre Branch was set up during the pandemic, I have seen the branch go from strength to strength, so when the Theatre Freelance Branch came into existence, I was knew I wanted to be involved and help to shape a branch that can accurately and compassionately advocate for and support freelance theatre workers (regardless of region). I hope that with continued engagement from a growing membership, the branch can build up guidance and advocacy opportunities to bring freelancers together instead of the ‘wild west’ environment we so often experience as individuals.”
Why should someone join or get more involved with BECTU?
“What I have learned in seeing the Theatre Freelance Branch start up (and the Touring Theatre Branch thrive) is that it takes a village to get a new branch up and running, to build consensus between members from all areas/departments of theatre freelance work and over time, to make the changes to our industry that we all so often eulogise about in the pub or coffee shop. For the branch to be effective it needs ACTIVE members, it’s not just a numbers game, but people to offer (just a little) time to help move forward with the work of the branch. The more time and effort you can put in, the more we can achieve as a community.”
Sam Vincent (he/him) - Sound Designer/Engineer
Website: www.samvincentsound.com
“I’ve been a freelancer most of my career and a board member of the ASDP since 2020 that’s how I got involved in the creation of this branch with people from other walks of life realising that freelancers really needed to come together to improve conditions and there’s power in numbers. The creators of this branch were from sound, lighting, costume, WHAM, and production Management. Since we started more disciplines have joined. Our aim is to make freelancing a bit less of an “everyone for themselves” and work together to improve conditions for everyone so the “stitch up gigs” become a thing of the past and everyone gets paid and treated fairly and with respect.”
Why should someone join or get more involved with BECTU?
“If you want conditions to improve or you want to make a difference to the way freelancers are treated, it will only happen if you and others work together to make it happen. We can support each other, make conditions better for everyone, you can get advice and support and also give advice and support. As freelancers we’re kind of going it alone, but with this branch we can support each other.”
Alex Fernandes (he/him) - Lighting Designer
Website: www.alexmlfernandes.com
Nick Mumford
To find out more about joining the Committee, or about how the Branch works, take a look our How the Branch Works and Getting Involved page.
If you have any questions, or would like to speak with us, you can email us at theatrefreelancers@gmail.com
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