PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Manuel Marroquin, TWDP Technical Fellowship Alumni from Roundabout Theatre Company
1:44:43
ยท
115 sec
Manuel Marroquin, an alumnus of Roundabout Theatre Company's TWDP Technical Fellowship, shares his journey from joining the program to becoming a successful stagehand on Broadway. He highlights how the program provided him with essential technical skills, mentorship, and career opportunities in the theater industry.
- Manuel is the first TWDP alum to join the IATSE Local 1 Stagehand Union
- He now works as a fly operator at the Helen Hayes Theatre on Broadway
- Manuel serves as a TWDP alumni mentor, helping connect current fellows with job opportunities
Manuel Marroquin
1:44:43
Hello.
1:44:44
I'm so happy to be here.
1:44:46
Thank you so much, chair Rivera and council members, for inviting me to speak today.
1:44:50
My name is Manuel Marroquin.
1:44:51
I'm from Brooklyn, New York.
1:44:52
I'm the alumni of Roundabout's TWDP Technical Fellowship.
1:44:56
I joined TWDP in fall 2018 after graduating from Juan Manuel School of the Arts in Brooklyn, which is one of Roundabout's partner schools.
1:45:05
The staff there, told me about TWDP, recommended that I applied.
1:45:09
When I joined TWDP, I knew that I wanted to work as a stagehand, but I didn't know much about technical skills required, how to build a career, or how to become a member of the union.
1:45:19
My experience at CBDP has been life changing.
1:45:22
I trained at carpentry, lighting, and sound.
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I got matched with an IATC mentor, Chek Green, who supports my career today.
1:45:29
And I completed my 1st internship at the Glimmerglass Festival in Cooperstown, New York, and it was my 1st experience working full time crew position for a production run.
1:45:37
Since Glimmerglass, I've worked on and off Broadway at variety venues, arts organizations around the city.
1:45:42
For over 2 years, I worked staff as a stagehand at City Center Stage 1 associated with with Manhattan Theatre Club's Off Broadway stage, where I helped bring world premier plays to life through my work on those productions.
1:45:54
I met entry level requirements to join the IATC Local 1 Stagehand Union in fall of 2023.
1:45:59
3.
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I'm proud to be the 1st TWB alum to join Local 1 and excited to help more alums on the way to joining the union.
1:46:06
Today, I work on Broadway as the fly operator at the Helen Hayes Theatre where I lower and raise sets, curtains, and anything that requires lifting.
1:46:13
I also serve as a TWDP alumni mentor so that each year I can help connect fellows to jobs working alongside me on union contracts, which has been really exciting.
1:46:22
One of the most important things to me about TWDP is the way it creates a community among fellows, alumni, and it means a lot to me that I can now support the fellows who come after me.
1:46:35
Thank you so much
UNKNOWN
1:46:37
for your time.
1:46:38
I look forward
Jacob Smith
1:46:39
to your questions.