Message from the Local President

SAG-AFTRA Philadelphia Local members were deeply saddened by the passing of our national president, Ken Howard. The day before his death, Ken sent an email to our National Board member Helen McNutt in which he said, “I always love being in Philadelphia,” and expressed how much he appreciated all we do for SAG-AFTRA. Ken was a great leader and champion for all of us. He will be sorely missed. SAG-AFTRA Philadelphia Local members extend their deepest sympathy to his wife Linda and his family. Rest in peace, Ken.

Continuing our focus on the theme of A Call to Arts, I thank the 30 members who participated in the Read Across America Day on March 1 at the Sharon Hill School in Upper Darby. The staff and students were very grateful to you for demonstrating your talents and highlighting the importance of developing good reading skills.

Thanks also to our Conservatory Committee, headed by Mike Kraycik, for an excellent program at the Arden Theatre, hosted by SAG-AFTRA member Peter Andrew Danzig, focusing on audition techniques. Approximately 80 members attended. We are also very appreciative of the Philadelphia Film Office and John Wooten, the national vice chairman of SAG-AFTRA’s EEO Committee, for an interesting and informative program at the Prince Theater that stressed the importance of diversity in casting.

One of the highlights of last month was the Career Day at Temple University for the School of Communications. Meagan Hill, Helen McNutt and I had a wonderful day meeting with our talented future members.

Striving to work more closely with the city of Philadelphia to increase work opportunities, we had a meeting with the mayor’s office and various City Council members. Thanks to board members Brooke Mills, Skip Fisher, Neil Samuels, Helen McNutt and our executive director, Stephen Leshinski, for their participation. 

Finally, I was very pleased and honored to have Gabrielle Carteris, our newly elected national president, join us at our well-attended annual membership meeting held on May 12 at the IATSE Ballroom. We also honored the SAG-AFTRA members of Total Traffic & Weather Network.

Tom McNutt

About 100 SAG-AFTRA members joined SAG-AFTRA President Gabrielle Carteris at the 2016 annual membership meeting held at the IATSE Ballroom in Philadelphia on May 12.