Assembly Guide

Have you ever heard someone say, “A union is only as strong as its members?” As much as that might want to make you roll your eyes (and I get it, been there done that) it’s totally true.  In this episode I talk all about how we think about unions, how we should think about unions, and why it’s so important to reframe the way we think about the unions that represent us.  Check out @assemblyguide on...

Are you a professional actor or stage manager? Do you want Actors’ Equity Association to function FOR you, but you don’t have a lot of time or energy to dedicate to it at this moment? This episode details 2 super easy action steps you can take as a member working ANY contract to help ensure AEA more effectively functions for you and the changes you want to see. Achieving the changes we want to see...

Are you a professional actor or stage manager who wants to get more involved with Actors' Equity Association and learn how to have your voice heard by our union? This episode is just for you. In this episode, I break down a 101 to Getting Involved with Actors’ Equity Association in various ways moving from a low-level of engagement to a higher level of engagement. If you’ve got ideas about mak...

The holiday season is huge in the theater industry. It’s a time when audiences are extra excited to see shows and when theaters make a lot of their profit, but that doesn’t mean that time has to be any less humane for the people working it.  During the holidays, theatre workers often work excessive, inhumane schedules without adequate rest, often during cold and flu season when theaters are alread...

Dignity and entitlement get confused way too often - especially when we look at workers and other exploited groups of people asking for their humanity to be respected in their workplaces. In this episode I talk about how we have falsely learned that dignity and entitlement are the same (spoiler alert: they’re not), why management loves when we confuse the two, and how all of this takes up energy t...

Many people don’t think of theatrical workers when they think of manual labor, but our jobs - as actors, stage managers, and everyone working backstage and onstage to put on a show eight times a week - are extremely physical and exceptionally repetitive, and cause inevitable wear and tear, strain, and injury. But this work breaks down our bodies and voices more than it should when our employers do...

In Assembly Guide’s first ever interview episode, I talk to the very inspiring Maria Briggs and Joanna Carpenter about all things swings! Swings are among the most under-resourced and overworked individuals in our industry. Having fought on behalf of swings at the negotiation table across from The Broadway League for the 2025 AEA Production Contract negotiations, Maria, Joanna, and I talk all abou...

I'm back with a brief episode after a long four month break away from the podcast. Join me as I share why I stepped away, what I learned, and how I plan on moving forward with more sustainable systems in place to continue this work! And listen through to the end for a little spoiler alert about next week's episode. It's my first guest interview, and it's a topic I'm extremely e...

Excessive scheduling is a huge problem in the theatrical industry. The demands of our jobs as live theatrical performers and stage managers can result in 60+ hour work-weeks before any type of overtime pay even without scheduling overload. But when the scheduling flexibility allowed within our union contracts is manipulated by employers in attempt to make as much money as possible, profit is prior...

If we want to make change, to achieve any goal, or to simply show up with vulnerability and courage, we are inevitably going to experience failure. Failure is a necessary and unavoidable part of the process of change. In this episode, I talk about how and why we should reframe our outlook on experiencing failure and acknowledge its necessity in the path towards change! Check out @assemblyguide on...

Have you ever heard someone say, "The show must go on?" In this episode, I talk about how we need to reframe this mentality and instead say, "The show must go on safely." The show doesn't actually have to go on, and often times in the event of an emergency or mishap, it should not! I dig into the things that get in the way of stopping a show when it becomes unsafe, share so...

Speaking about the need for change is scary. In this episode, I talk about the feelings of fear we inevitably feel when we're about to stand up and speak out when something is wrong. That fear is completely normal, and it's an unavoidable part of advocating for change. Join me as I share how I navigate those feelings of fear and uncertainty and move forward with them to show up and continu...

This episode, I (Alicia Newcom, host of Assembly Guide and associate choreographer/Broadway performer) share with you my personal journey into navigating advocating for change in our theatrical industry. I also share an approachable 7-step process for leaning in when we feel the need for change that helps me move through what I'm feeling, discover potential pathways for change, and move forwar...

Welcome to Assembly Guide: Your guide to assembling and organizing as we work to make change in our theatrical industry. Hosted by Alicia Newcom. Alicia (she/her) is an associate choreographer and Broadway performer based in NYC who is passionate about building and facilitating theatrical spaces where everyone’s humanity is seen and respected. Join Alicia as she introduces Assembly Guide and talks...