2026 Election Candidate Statements
If you would like a paper copy of the candidate statements mailed to you, please contact Brittney Fields at bfields@ia764.org
PRESIDENT
MARTHA L. SMITH
I am so honored and awed to run for President of Local 764. When I think about what I wish to build for our Union, I think about our work. We are the problem-solvers who know the solution before others realize the need. We are the strategists who can take an idea and make it reality. And we are the workers who can create peace, calm and confidence simply by being there.
My goal is to use those strengths that make us the workers we are to build on the foundation we have. I will work with and for the members, inspired
by the trust you all have put in me.
VICE-PRESIDENT
JOSEPH SIBLEY
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Joseph has spent his career doing what he does best — making sure every detail is right and every person on the team is set up for success. He knows that our work is what holds the entire production together—whether that work is on set or backstage. That same dedication is exactly what he brings to his union membership, and what he will bring to the office of Vice President.
Joseph is proud of the ground this local has fought hard to gain. The wages won at the bargaining table, the protections secured for members on set, and the solidarity that has defined this union's character are all achievements worth honoring and expanding.
Joseph is equally energized by what lies ahead. With new leadership on the horizon, he sees a genuine opportunity to carry this local into a stronger, more dynamic future. As V.P., Joseph will work to engage members to get more involved, improve communication strategies to reach members where they are, and host community building activities.
While he realizes not everyone can make the scheduled meetings, he firmly believes that everyone can make meaningful contributions. We all hold talents beyond our job descriptions, and he would welcome the opportunity to leverage our community’s vast talents.
Joseph Sibley is ready to listen, ready to advocate, and ready to work. He believes that the best Vice President is one who shows up not just on the ballot, but works every single day after — for every member, on every job.
VANGELI KASELURIS
I’m honored to accept the nomination for Vice President and excited to run for reelection. My work isn’t finished—I’m more motivated than ever to
build a stronger, more connected Local 764.
Since joining the leadership team, I’ve taken action to move our Local forward. I revitalized our education program, launched our social media
presence, and, alongside Kimberly Butler Gilkerson, built our swag shop to strengthen pride and solidarity across our membership.
Our members are skilled, essential, and deserve the highest standards of representation, opportunity, and respect. That belief drives everything I do.
I’ve played an active role in numerous negotiations and serve on both the orientation and registration committees—supporting new members while staying connected to the needs of our entire community.
There’s more to do, and I’m ready to keep pushing forward. Together, we will continue to grow, improve, and strengthen Local 764 for everyone.
SECRETARY-TREASURER
DOROTHY MASTERS​
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I’ve been a member of Local 764 for 25 years and a member of IATSE since 1994. I’ve worked in both film and theatre, though most of my career has
been in film. I’ve been a Broadway Dresser and Dayworker, a Tailor, a Set Costumer for principals and for background performers, and a Wardrobe
Supervisor. I know what each of you need to bring to your jobs and what support you should expect from the Union.
I’m proud to be a member of Local 764. I’ve benefitted greatly from my association with this union. My membership has helped me provide my family with a middle class lifestyle.
In the last few years I’ve been able to give back to this community that has helped me so much. I’ve served on the negotiation committee for the last two Majors film contracts, taught classes at the union, and I was chosen to represent Local 764 at the last International Convention. But I feel there is more that I can do for Local 764.
This union has grown a lot during my years as a member, mostly and especially under the leadership of Pat White. I believe it will continue to grow and improve with Martha Smith at the helm and I want to be a member of the Executive Board that supports her vision of the future. I believe that serving you as Secretary/ Treasurer is the best way I can give back to you for all I’ve received.
​KIMBERLY BUTLER-GILKESON
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I have been a proud member of Local 764 since 1999. I began working in theatre and have continued to expand my work experience into television
and film.
Since being elected as a Trustee, I have been honored to represent this amazing community of workers. I am the administrator of the official
Facebook page for our local, as well as creating the @iatselocal764 Instagram and Tumblr accounts. I have also helped to create the 764 Merchandise Store with VP Vangeli Kaseluris. I am most proud of the work I have done from the direct ideas of our membership, such as the Political Action postcards, an online petition to Save The Garment District and helping the BIPOC Steering Committee initiate trainings, webinars & events for the Social Justice Task Force. As a result of this work, I was appointed by IA President Matthew Loeb to join the IATSE Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Committee. In my work as co-Chair of this
national committee, I am working to make a fundamental shif in our union mindset that will create safe, and inclusive workspaces, as well as showcase the diverse experiences of our IATSE membership.
It is truly a pleasure representing the outstanding workers of TWU Local 764, IATSE on the job, locally and internationally. I would love the opportunity to shepherd this local into its next era as your Secretary-Treasurer
TRUSTEE
TERRY LAVADA
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I am running for the executive board of IATSE Local 764 to continue strengthening our union with experience, accountability, and compassion. Over my years serving on the Executive Board—including my tenure as Chair of Trustees—I have worked hard to protect our members’ rights and our Local’s financial integrity.
I am especially proud to have created the Senior Advocacy Program, ensuring that our retired and long-serving members receive the support,
resources, and respect they deserve. This initiative reflects my core belief that every member, at every stage of their career, should feel valued
and represented.
As an executive board member, I will continue to champion transparency, member support, and strong communication. I would be honored to earn your trust and your vote.
BILL HUBNER
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As a proud member of IATSE Local 764, I have worked alongside you on Broadway, National Tours and in TV/Film. I have been a truck costumer, shop costumer. I have dressed the ensemble and been a supervisor. I am well-versed in all areas of our industry. If we've worked together, you know I arrive early, stay late and get the job done.
In addition to taking union classes that reinforce our skills, I have taken Labor Relations Training Classes in conflict resolution and ombudsmanship, Collective Bargaining, and OSHA Health & Safety. Most recently, I completed the IATSE Leadership Training course. I have served as a union delegate and been on the teams negotiating contracts for the Broadway League, Disney, MSG, RCMH, and Roundabout. I have walked the picket lines and led the "No Casino Times Square" campaign.
My commitment is to the betterment of our membership. We all know, "We are stronger together." That, combined with "Knowledge is power," results in a unified and educated workforce. I pride myself on my work ethic and dedication. I will continue to work for the betterment of our membership, moving us forward, together in diversity, equity and inclusion.
JEFFREY COLTON REID
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"Hello, I'm Jeffrey Colton Reid.
I've been a member of 764 since 2019. I started dressing at the Met Opera afer working in NYC costume shops for several years. In my time at the Met, I became a Steady Extra dresser and one of Shop Stewards for the wardrobe department. Now I'm a freelance costume maker working at Aladdin, the Met costume shop and in wardrobe.
For two years I've been a Field Rep for 764 working on the organizing drive and negotiations for “The Juilliard School” and for the “NYC costume shops." While the drives for the costume shops did not have the outcome the workers wanted, what has been a success from it is a monthly Meet-Up for the workers to build a stronger community. What started with 10 people has grown to almost 100 people on the email list.
I've learned the key to organizing is about communication amongst workers. I encourage all members of 764 to talk with their fellow union members because together we make a better union. I'm proud to be a member of Local 764, and it is with humility that I accept the nomination for Trustee and ask for the opportunity to work with all current and future members of 764 to continue to grow our union."
ADINA WELLS
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I joined Local 764 in 2018, and since then, I have been working in live theater. Being a union member, specifically of Local 764, is one of the aspects of my identity I am most proud of. I have worked as a swing, dayworker, and now a full time Dresser for young performers. I want to take a step forward in my union participation by running for a position as a Trustee. I have learned the profound necessity and value of our mental, physical, creative and emotional labor in this industry. I intend to advocate for and strengthen the wellbeing of the membership and the Local as a trustee. I have been a shop steward and on negotiating committees, both of which have prepared me to take this next step. I believe in the extraordinary value of our work combined with the necessity of solidarity amongst the Local and beyond. In this time of great political crisis, participation and activism is more important than ever. I
want to be a part of the change that is starting at Local 764. I hope you will vote for me.
BRYCE THOMAS-RUSSELL​
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To my fellow Local 764 kin,
For those whom I have yet to meet, my name is Bryce Thomas-Russell and I am currently a Principal Dresser and the Shop Steward at Aladdin.
I have been an active member for the past four years and in that time one of my favorite contributions was starting the Young Workers’ Committee
and representing Local 764 at the recent Young Workers’ Conference in 2024. I have attended union activism and leadership classes both at our Local and through other organizations, participated in education outreach events for students, ran political engagement events, coalesced with other theatrical Locals in New York, and created a social media campaign to highlight our members’ vitally important work.
As a Trustee and Executive Board member, I will continue to advocate for stronger communication and transparency, more education for current and future members, and more internal and external organizing to make our membership stronger and more engaged.
I will keep growing the possibilities of what we can be as a Union and how we can better our Local. I believe it is important that members see themselves reflected in their leadership, and feel that they have someone advocating for them even when they are not in the room. I want to continue to be a catalyst of improvement and strength for all of our members and I would be humbled to be able to continue that work as a Trustee and a representative of this incredible membership
RAVEN JAKUBOWSKI
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I’ve been a member of Local 764 since 2009, and it has been my honor and my privilege to serve as a Trustee on the Executive Board since 2020. I’ve been proud to represent our members as a delegate to the IATSE Quadrennial Convention in 2025 and to serve on the Majors Bargaining Committee for the last three agreements. Inspired by my involvement with the union, I am currently pursuing a master’s degree in labor studies at CUNY, and I’m excited to bring some of the tactics and power building strategies I’m learning there to the Board.
I’m so proud of how many of our members are active: attending meetings, showing up to parades and marches, and answering calls to action that help support our entertainment community. I know that other members simply count on the union to always be running in the background, like the postal service or a utility company, a quietly humming machine that requires no real input aside from the occasional dues payment. Unfortunately, we are increasingly learning that even
the most essential services can be taken away from us if we don’t actively protect them. That’s why as a board member, I hope I can continue to advocate for you at our jobsites, to talk through contract language with you, to help every one of you feel welcome at union events, and to encourage you to get involved in whatever capacity feels right to you.
JESSICA DERMODY
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An I.A.T.S.E. member since 1997 and a proud Local 764 member since 2003, I currently serve as the wardrobe supervisor of Hamilton. My experience spans live theatre, film, and television, as well as production management and producing for live events, theatre, and film. Some of my credits include Hamilton, Frozen, The Great Comet, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, and The Drew Barrymore Show.
I love our union, the rich history we have fought for, and the strong, supportive community we foster. I believe my broad, hands-on experience with current industry practices will contribute meaningfully to the work of the Executive Board. As our membership grows and faces new challenges, I will serve as Trustee with a focus on strengthening and expanding our contracts, addressing wage inequality, and prioritizing workplace safety. I am also deeply committed to education and building a more connected, engaged membership through nurturing community building initiatives.
I believe in showing up, listening, sharing experiences, and doing the work. I never lose sight of the fact that we are stronger together, and that our solidarity is our greatest strength. I would be honored to take a new step in serving and supporting our membership in the years ahead.
I would be grateful to earn your support in this election.
MAGGIE O. LUTHER
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I am thrilled and honored to be running for one of the Trustee seats on our Executive Board alongside so many amazing candidates. I have been a proud member of Local 764 since 2018, working under both the Broadway League and Disney contracts.
Since joining, I have leapt at every opportunity to serve the Local - serving on various committees, including the negotiating committee for the last
Broadway League contract; acting as one of the Local's delegates to the Central Labor Council; and developing various social media and community building projects aimed at educating members and promoting engagement between the membership and the Union.
More importantly, I have taken every opportunity to talk to my fellow members and listen to their thoughts and ideas about who we are as a Local and where we should be heading. I believe if we want a strong future, this Local must be more than a contract to work under. The Union must and should be a resource for its members and just as dedicated to their wellbeing as members are to the Union’s strength.
Helping to build such a resource from our already strong Local has been and will always be my goal. The best way for me to do that is as a Trustee on our Executive Board. I hope you vote for the Trustee you think will best serve you as a Local 764 member; and I hope you agree that I will be that person.
JAMES KABEL​
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House Supervisor, Helen Hayes Theatre Proud Member since 1990
To my fellow union members,
SAVE THE MET! We did it once we will have to do it again. As we move forward with new leadership, it is critical that we continue strengthening
communication and representation for our members, advocate for fair wages, including closing the salary gap between stagehands and wardrobe, and protect the standards that make our union strong. Just as importantly, we must ensure that every member from day-workers to supervisors feels heard, supported, and fairly represented in their day-to-day work. We must also continue to work to unionize Off-Broadway and the costume shops to have more union jobs for our members.
I have been working as a wardrobe supervisor across Broadway, National tours, and the Metropolitan Opera. Over the course of my career I have supervised:
• 20 Broadway shows
• 18 national tours
• 120 operas during my 20 years at the Met Opera
I have also served 4 terms as Trustee and worked on both Legit and Met Opera negotiating committees. This experience gives me a deep understanding of the challenges our members face across all areas of our union. I care deeply about this union and the people in it. I would be honored to continue serving you as Trustee.
Thank you for your consideration,