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On Monday, November 9, 2026, The Chicago Federation of Musicians (AFM Local 10-208) and the DePaul University Labor Education Center in the School of Continuing Professional Studies will host Pulling Back the Curtain: Using Labor Movement Solutions to Address the Culture of Abuse in the Performing Arts, a daylong symposium focused on protecting working performers and building safer, more equitable workplaces across Chicago’s performing arts community.The symposium will feature the Chicago premiere of Dear Lara, an award-winning documentary by world-renowned Canadian concert violinist, Lara St. John. St John will both introduce the film and participate in afternoon discussions. The keynote address will be delivered by K.O. (FKA Karen Olivo), 2009 Tony Award recipient for their performance as Anita in West Side Story, and current Northwestern University Director of Music Theatre.
The symposium will bring together prominent artists, labor leaders, and arts professionals for practical discussions about workplace protections, accountability, and inclusive leadership. Afternoon sessions will address safer music institutions, freelance musicians’ rights and contracts, workplace grievances and representation, and the importance of becoming the arts leaders we wish to see.
For Chicago’s working performers, a safe workplace is essential to building sustainable careers. Performers across genres, from indie rock to Hip-Hop to storefront theatre, frequently navigate informal employment arrangements and unequal workplace power dynamics, making access to information, representation, and professional support especially important. The Chicago Federation of Musicians and the DePaul University Labor Center believe Unions play a vital role in shaping the professional performing arts landscape beyond just organizing workers and facilitating contract negotiations. Through educational programming and collaboration with arts institutions, they can equip workers and organizational leaders with tools to address workplace challenges and create meaningful change.
By bringing together influential voices from the performing arts and labor movement, Pulling Back the Curtain aims to turn shared concerns into practical solutions that protect performers’ rights and strengthen Chicago’s cultural community.
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Event venue
14 E Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60604, United States
Tickets
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