History
In 1922 Local 340 was chartered in the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees. Through the years the members of Local 340 I.A.T.S.E. covered all areas of providing entertainment here in N.Y. The jurisdiction of Local 340 covers the counties of Nassau and Suffolk on Long Island. Local 340 provided the entertainment industry here on Long Island with skilled Stagehands, ranging from Master Carpenters, Electricians and Property Masters, to Sound Engineers, Front Light Men, Riggers and Grips. Through the years, Theatre and Studio work was the main source of income for the growing membership of Local 340. From the studios in Long Beach and Hempstead to the theatres in Minneola and Jones Beach, the entertainment industry was at a high during these times. So too the quality of craftsmanship of the members of Local 340 had to excel. Countless live TV shows and Motion Pictures were shot at the various studios on Long Island. Members strived at being the best at their craft, and Local 340 produced many of the top Theatrical Stage Employees in the industry.
One of the more unique theatres and to this day still one of the most beautiful places to enjoy live entertainment is the Jones Beach Marine Theater. In 1952, the "New Theatre" was completed, replacing the original wooden structure. With 8,200 seats, and located in Zach's bay within the Jones Beach State Park, it was to become a landmark theatre in its own right. 'With the show season running from early June to early September, the theatre presented such shows as, "Arabian (Nights", "'Hit the Deck", "The Sound of Music", and "The King and I", to name a few. From 1952 ("A Night in Venice") to 1981 ("Damn Yankees") a new show ran for the entire season (a couple ran for two seasons). Over the years, the industry on Long Island turned from "Theatre" to "Rock -n -Roll", and as the times changed, so did the theatre. From 1983 to the present, The Jones Beach Theatre has presented the top names in the music business, and now with the addition of a balcony the total capacity is close to 15,000. The theatre proves to be a challenge to the men and women of Local 340 who put on the shows, day in and day out. With a Mountain Roof System installed at the beginning of every year and the shows only getting bigger and bigger, it’s knowledge of these men and women which proves to be the factor in putting on a successful show, night after night.
The Westbury Music Fair, like the Jones Beach Theater, in one way ... is unique, in that it's a theatre in the round. With nearly 3,000 seats, virtually every top name Vegas Act, Rock-n-Roll and Broadway Musical has been put on the stage at Westbury. The theatre has a 24' turntable, its own lighting ring and sound system, from "Frank Sinatra" and "Liza Minelli" to "The Doors" and "Janis Joplin", and "42nd St." to "Camelot", Westbury has seen it all, and there to make sure that every performance is better than the last, are the members of Local 340 I.A.T.S.E.
Prior to having a full size arena on Long Island, live entertainment could be seen at the Commack Arena, until the mid-seventies when the building was torn down. In 1972, the Nassau Coliseum was built. The Coliseum was home to many sporting events and teams, including the NY Nets and presently the NY Islanders. In 1981, one of only three sites in the world to have "Pink Floyd" perform "The Wall," it became the biggest theatrical concert event ever to be performed inside the Coliseum. In 1989, gearing up for their upcoming stadium tour, "The Rolling Stones" chose the Coliseum for their rehearsals. Set up for a month inside the Coliseum, was the outdoor scaffolding stage, running the length of the Coliseum floor. Year after year of putting on shows at the Nassau Coliseum, Local 340 proves again and again, that its stagehands are among the very best in the business.
Local 340 prides it self on being the best at whatever is asked of its members and to this day some of the finest Theatrical Stage Employees have and will continue to come from Local 340, I.A.T.S.E. The studios and stages, arenas and locations that Local 340 has provided skilled craftsmen for are far too many to mention. So when your production comes to Long Island, New York and you expect nothing but the best from the people who put on your show, Local 340, whose years of experience and dedication to being the best of the best, will always provide mechanics that are second to none.
The time is now...