WELCOME

        Welcome to the IATSE Local # 93 Centennial  Celebration. Tonight marks 100 years of Local # 93 serving the Spokane area entertainment industry. I am proud to have been associated with this union for the past 27 years, and honored to have served as President for the last three. Since 1975 I have seen our local grow steadily along with the entertainment industry in Spokane. This in large part is due to those individuals and organizations in our community who have had the vision and foresight to take Spokane to the next level as an entertainment market. I would like to thank them for their efforts. Without first rate facilities and aggressive marketing many productions would bypass Spokane.

        For over 100 years, Local # 93 has been providing professional stage technicians, always ready for the next challenge. Through education, training, and a genuine commitment to excellence the members of this union have risen to the occasion and surpassed expectations.

        The last two years have been banner years for entertainment in Spokane. With shows like "Garth Brooks", "Phantom of the Opera", & "Miss Saigon" to name a few, we have shown that no show is too big. Local # 93 has built a reputation throughout the touring industry as a top notch, highly qualified and efficient local crew. Comments range from flawless performances to record setting move outs.

        Each new innovation and technical advance in the theatrical business brings with it new opportunities for our brothers and sisters. I am pleased to be a part of this exciting and ever changing industry. As we move ahead to the next 100 years, we will continue our tradition of excellence in our craft. Through hard work and dedication, Local # 93 is looking forward to the new challenges that face us.

        Once again a special thank you to all those who make entertainment happen in Spokane, and congratulations to the men and women of IATSE Local # 93.

        Sincerely,  David Brucick - - President - - IATSE Local # 93

Local #93 - - 1902 - 2002 - - Officers

Members
Jennifer M Adams - - - -  James K Graeff - - - -  Linda J Slater
Thomas J Arnesen - - - -  Marnie L Hamilton - - - -  Kelley L Stewart
Margaret H Ayers - - - - John S Jeanneret - - - -  Daniel H Sullivan
Robert C Ayers - - - - Jude D Johnsson - - - -  Dan Thoreson
Tricia A Bertone - - - - Joseph P Kane - - - - Shari Lynn Townsend
John Blixt - - - - George Kawahara - - - -  Jana Lynn Treadwell
Douglas L Bundy - - - - Carlos F Lando - - - - Michael E Tucker
Thomas R Carney - - - -  George H Lathrop - - - -  Lynda Vandeergaag
Harold W Clark - - - - Thomas M Lyster - - - - James M Volke
Arthur E Cole - - - -  Scott E Martinez - - - - Robert J Wahl
David J Crawford - - - -  Pamela J Meyer - - - -  Arnold R Walker
Rhonda R Cyr - - - - Thomas W Moore - - - - Robert L Walters
Douglas B Davidson - - - - Christopher R Nathan - - - - Kathi L Wiles
Deborah A Devereaux - - -  Allan J Nordling
Robert C Duven - - -  David A Nygren     Retirees
Michael P Eickmeyer- - - - Timothy D O'Leary    LeRoy M Frengle
Helen M Evans - - - - Kenneth M Reynolds              Robert W Devereaux
Jerry W Fencl - - - - Brian E Ritter                  Robert D Evans
Raymond A Garcea - - - -  Janis M Sackman       Thomas F Gorman
Ronald P Geisbush - - Brendan Shanahan       Robert V Olive
William P Gormley - Jeffrey Alan Shepherd

The Beginning

        Local #93 ! 100 Years! These are the numbers that we are honoring during this celebration, but they are only numbers. Local #93 consists of people. Men, women, stagehands, operators, wardrobe workers and technicians of all types.

        What is important in the year 2002 was not even a thought in the year 1902 and what was important 100 years ago seems insignificant today, but the common thread is the people, their ideas and devotion. Devotion is usually a term connected with a close personal relationship. Having done a significant amount of research for this article I can think of no more apt term to describe the people that built Local #93 100 years ago and the people that have continued its tradition into the 21st century.

        Like many Mixed Locals in the IATSE, Local #93 was chartered as a Stage Local. Stage Local #93 and Operators Local #185 amalgamated in 1952 to become the mixed local that we have today.

        On November 17, 1901, a group of stage employees in Spokane met and organized what was known as the Spokane Stage Employees Union, with a membership of 24. Six of these pioneers were members of IA Locals. They immediately affiliated with the Spokane Central Labor Council. One year later this group dissolved and was organized under the umbrella of the IATSE as Local #93 with a charter membership of seventeen. As had become common in many areas the "picture operators" were a part of Local #93, but due to the constant quarreling over jurisdiction with the IBEW the operators were granted their own charter in 1908, with that, Operators Local #185 was created.

        During these early years it was a constant struggle for survival and Local #93 took and active role in leadership along with other IA Locals in the Northwest. The 1st Northwest Stage Employees Convention was held in 1903 in Seattle with delegates from Seattle, Portland, Spokane, Boise and Vancouver B.C. This organization was the predecessor of District #1, as we now know it. The associations 2nd Convention was held in Spokane in May 1904. About this time rumors were circulated at the IA office that the Northwest association was formed for the purpose of seceding from the IA. An order came down from the IA office for all Locals to withdraw from this association. Hence, the Northwest Stage Association was dissolved. Realizing the benefits that had been achieved by Locals that were in the same geographic area working together. Local #93, prior to the 1909 Convention, sent its delegate, H. Holinger, on a trip to visit the other Locals of the Northwest to get support in presenting a resolution to the IA Convention that would call for the formation of districts as we now have them. This was approved in July 1909.

Quotes - - From The Minutes

       June 1, 1909 - Meeting called to order at 11:20 p.m. by pres. Claff. Roll call showed Business Agent. Jones and Exec. Board McConaley absent. Minutes of May 18 not read owing to being locked in a desk.

        In the early part of the century, live action was the norm in the entertainment business; this was a good time for the stagehands while the operators were struggling to begin their existence. This did not last for long. When audio was added to film, times changed; from theatres that sometimes showed movies, to movie theatres that sometimes had live productions. This was probably the first recorded instance of the ill effects of soundmen. While the history of Local #185 had its ups and downs, it was a very active and vibrant group. Local #93, on the other hand, was becoming a group that relied on the occasional show to augment the maintenance jobs that were under contract with the theatres in Spokane. As has been the case for its entire existence many of the earlier pioneers of Local #93 would leave for greener pastures, or go on the road. Some of the names from the early years that were a constant and contributed to the survival of Local #93, were people like Robert H. Devereaux, member from 1908-1952, the first of the Devereauxs' that continue to populate the Local. Marion Hawkins, maintenance man at the Fox Theatre from 1933-1961. This is still the longest tenure on any job coming under the jurisdiction of Local #93.

        During the late 1940's and early 1950's it became very obvious that the stagehands were not going to survive. At this point in history, the operators, Local #185, was a functioning organization while the stagehands, Local #93 were barely able to maintain enough members to keep their charter. 1953 became the turning point in the history of the Local. Not only was 1953 the year of the amalgamation between Locals 93 and 185; it was the turning point between the "old days" and the modern era of Local #93.

        It is very important to mention that there were great many members that took Local #93 from the "old days" to the modern era. These were old-timers from Locals #93 and #185, to new members of the same. Investigation into the history of Local #93 shows that this amalgamation was a huge undertaking. The constitution of Local #93 was redesigned so that neither group could attain a foothold over the other. It was a great many years before the Local was able to escape these early prejudices.

        In the early years of the amalgamation nearly every piece of business brought before the body was looked at from a completely different point of view. The Operators were not happy to loose some of their identity along with their local #, while the stagehands were concerned about having to add operators to their group. Fortunately the leaders of Local #93 realized that they were now a Mixed Local of the IA and this would be the strength that would allow them to survive.

        One of the most enduring legacies developed by Local #93 was the Spokane Projection Service. Started in 1956, as an avenue to create work for projectionists, it developed into the payroll service that we are familiar with today. The Spokane Projection Service was incorporated in 1963 as a non-profit arm of the Local.

        It is impossible to mention the Projection Service without thanking Frank Kingsley and Kim Devereaux who were there in the beginning, Florence Devereaux, the first bookkeeper at $15.00 per month and of course George Kawahara and his wife Toshi, who have been the guiding hands since the incorporation in 1963.

        During the 50's and early 60's, stagehands worked in many different venues, The Fox Theatre, the Post Street, The Orpheum and the Masonic Temple. In December 1954, the City of Spokane got into the entertainment industry and Local #93 has never been the same, they built the Spokane Coliseum. While this building has often been refereed to as the "Boone Street Barn" and many, even more unappealing names, it was a huge shot in the arm for Local #93. While the Coliseum was a plus for the members of Local #93 it came during the same era that the City of Spokane was fast loosing some of it's most treasured downtown theatres. The Orpheum and the Post St were torn down and the Fox became a triplex movie house.

         In 1974 Local #93 was proud to be an integral part of one of the highlights of Spokane history. Expo 74 contributed to the community and was the single biggest event ever for Local #93. Not only did this event fatten the wallets of the members of the Local; it contributed to the leadership of Local #93. Members that were taken in during this era, or shortly after, are the ones that have seen Local #93 grow to its present state. While sailing has not always been smooth, Local #93 did survive to reach 100yrs. Many of the Locals that were its contemporaries did not make it. Local #93 looks much different today than it did in even the most recent past. During the past fifteen years we have seen the demise of the union projectionist and the last remnants of Local #185. We have seen the arrival of the union wardrobe worker. A City contract. West Coast Entertainment. We have changed and times have changed.

        As with individuals, IA Locals that have been slow to change have found the transition to the modern era more difficult than exciting. Local #93 has had its difficult times and good times. We are proud that Local #93 is consistently praised by road crews and management alike. It's harshest critic being itself.

        Few names have been listed in this history of the Local and that is contrary to what the Local is about, PEOPLE. It is very hard to take Local #93 from 1902 to 2002 without listing the many members that have guided this journey. Each name has its own story and I could write about them all. Those of us that are members of Local #93 just want to thank those of us who have gone before and we can only say that we have tried to carry on the tradition that was in place when we arrived.

Guests at the 100th Party