Kayleigh Truman, M.A. in Labor Studies

Stagehand, Academic, Concert Goer, Survivor

The Stigma surrounding Mental health continues to make it a difficult thing to talk about. Well, screw that. I started in Mental Health Advocacy because I was tired of being ashamed of things that should be considered accomplishments.

Had an eating disorder as a child, beat it as an adult.

Was homeless as a teen, became a first generation college graduate.

Nearly ended everything after being raped. Joined a union and found my community.

Faught through Anxiety, PTSD, Depression.

Am now living a happy, fulfilled life nonetheless.

"Living well is the best revenge." - R.E.M.

No one deserves to stand alone

Throughout my life I have been fortunate enough to never lack for love or support. I am only alive today because I had people when I needed them. Other's aren't as lucky and that's unacceptable to me. It's unfair I am still here and others are not. In many ways my advocacy started in Survivors Guilt. But from that, I found it has turned into much, much more. It's a love of my Union. It's a love of my Industry. It's a love of the Labor Movement.

It's Solidarity.

Building a Stronger Community

Out reach and community involvement have always been important to me. I am grateful to find myself involved with numerous organizations that make the world a better place.

Mental Health First Aid Instructor with Behind the Scenes

Local One Rep. on the IATSE NYC Pride Committee

Carpentry and Stagecraft Instructor with Tools & Tiaras

Board Member of Wellbeing in Entertainment and Creative Arts

Member of the Membership Committee for the UALE

Once a Stagehand, Always a Stagehand

Without my Union Apprenticeship at the American Airlines Theater, I wouldn't be here. The stability, structure, support and community gained through that position are the only reason I made it to 28. Through my own mental challenges and the challenges that come with the Entertainment Industry, I found a great potential to help people by simply sharing my story. Just talking and being supportive of each other carries such great weight in a Union. Even before I knew the term "internal organizing" I was apparently pretty good at it.

Labor Based Education and Mental Health

In 2021 I completed my Masters of Arts Degree in Labor Studies from the CUNY School of Labor and Urban Studies.

For my Capstone project I completed original research on Covid's impact on Stagehand Mental Health. This research not only highlighted the shortcomings in available mental health resources for entertainment workers, but also how intrinsic our careers are to our identities. The needs of workers need to be addressed by workers, not unrelated managerial forces that only think they know our conditions. No one knows our needs better than we do.

Current projects and positions

Representative at Large, UALE Executive Board

The United Association of Labor Education is a dynamic network of individuals & organizations engaged in labor and worker education. As a Representative at Large, they serve as a voice for the general membership during board meetings. Through their 2 year term, they will assist in the coordination of the North East Regional event in 2024 and the 2025 UALE conference.

Currently also Serves as a Women's Caucus Co-Chair

Learn more about UALE

Board Member of WECA: Wellbeing in Entertainment and Creative Arts

As a Board Member, Kayleigh works to bring better resources and support to workers on the front lines of entertainment. From supporting striking workers to teaching workshops on work/life balance, WECA works to better the wellbeing of workers across the industry.

WECA envisions an entertainment industry guided by trauma-informed principles, by which the health, safety, and wellbeing of artists and entertainment workers are prioritized throughout the entire creative process, from pre to post-production.

Learn more about WECA

Architect of Special Projects with Tools & Tiaras

Tools & Tiaras is a non-profit organization dedicated teaching young girls that jobs don't have genders. Run exclusively by trade and union women from across the world, T&T is dedicated to inspiring, educating, and mentoring young girls to follow their dreams and become whatever they want to be.

Within T&T, Kayleigh functions as the Architect of Special Projects (ASP). Here, they lead the research and development of customized workshops and fabrication based projects for the girls to learn valuable hands-on skills, developing confidence with new tools and materials, and the knowledge they can do anything!

Learn more about Tools & Tiaras