All Things Swings with Maria Briggs and Joanna Carpenter

About this episode

Alicia Newcom interviews Maria Briggs and Joanna Carpenter about the role and advocacy of swings in the theater industry.

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 about what that fight was like, the fights we have to continue fighting, and how we keep momentum moving forward. We talk all about the role of a swing (and the various types of swings), some of the ways swings are under-resourced and why that needs to change, and how we as an industry can help ensure we value and respect swings and resource them appropriately for the work that they do! All that with a lot of laughter along the way. So tune in, and let’s all show up for all the wonderful swings who help keep our shows running! Thank you to these two amazing women for sitting down to talk with me about their experience as swings and for being such incredible advocates for swings. You can connect with Maria at @mariarbriggs and Joanna at @thejoannac. And don’t forget to check out SwingNation…

People in this episode

Guests: Maria Briggs, Joanna Carpenter

Topics covered

• swings
• theater
• advocacy
• Broadway
• AEA Production Contract

Keywords

• under-resourced
• negotiation
• support
• value
• respect

Mentioned in this episode

Products: SwingNation

Books & works: All Things Swings

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• Dignity vs. Entitlement, And Why Management Loves When We Mix Them Up · December 24, 2025 · 24 min
• Your Body is Not Company Property · December 10, 2025 · 58 min