News

Stage By Stage
By Pam Kinney
Meeting entertainers such as Jerry Seinfeld, BB King, Tony Bennett, or Joan Rivers would be a once-in-a-lifetime thrill for most of us. But for Dave Herrman, it's all in a night's work. When a performer comes to town, it's his job to help make them look spectacular.

For the past eight years, Dave has been a Business Agent for the International Alliance of Theatrical and Stage Employees, or IATSE Local 114. This is a 65-member, state-wide union with 150 apprentices ready to work. "We're a stage hand union who live outside the box," Dave explains. Unlike the 9-5 job that many of us have, Dave and his crew start their day at 8 in the morning and oftentimes end at 2am the next day. Above, Herrman and Harley.The Monument: Pam Kinney Photo

When an entertainer comes to town, the Local 114th helps the road crew unload trucks, as well as set up the stage and lighting the way the performer prefers. For instance, Dave knows that Jerry Seinfeld and Diana Ross want the lights set up so that they see no faces when they look out into the audience. Dave also points out that when an act has no lighting director he can "have a lot more fun with the creativity."

From the Phish Show in Bangor to the Maine State Ballet's Nutcracker at Merrill Auditorium, most of Dave's work revolves around live performances. However, he has also had some experience on the movie set as well. When "In the Bedroom" was being filmed in Maine, Dave was there as part of the lighting crew. One of his tasks was to hold a mirror to reflect more light over a bedroom scene. Although he enjoyed it, he found this to be a lot slower pace than preparing for a concert.

Along with this line of work also comes the perk of meeting celebrities as well as the people that work with them behind the scenes. Dave has mingled backstage with Billy Joel and Steven Tyler of Aerosmith. He knows that Cher's bus driver received a whopping $100,000 bonus. He's also had Alison Krauss tell him she "felt sexy under those lights on stage."

Since a teenager, Dave has devoted endless hours working with bands and learning which genres are best to deal with. Overall, "The country music people are just phenomenal to work with, and their crew is well taken care of," Dave points out. For instance, Willie Nelson's road crew all have diamond rings the shape of Texas. When Garth Brooks came to Maine, he took his people to LL Bean for a shopping spree.

Although he interacts with famous people, Dave is quick to point out where his priorities are. "It's not about meeting them-it's about the quality of work we provide when they're here," he insists. As a professional stagehand, "I want them to know that when they come to Maine they are well take care of." Dave even volunteered his expertise at WPOR's "Picnic in the Park," a free outdoor annual concert that includes country music's new rising stars. By doing so, Dave hopes they'll remember Maine when they hit it big and return here for future performances.

Despite the long hours, Dave feels as though he has the ideal occupation. "I found a job that lets me be me," he says. An avid biker, Dave spends his spare time taking road trips on his Harley, including an annual trip to Washington DC each Memorial weekend to pay tribute to veterans.

A former Marine himself, Dave states "I figure I could stay home and have a cookout anytime, but I could take this weekend, ride to DC, and say thanks."
Having an uncanny ability to adapt, Dave has obviously taken his past experiences and used them toward his current leadership position with the Local 114th. He's a seasoned veteran in dealing with problems as they arise as well as handling people from all walks of life.

"I'm proud in spite of who I am, my brothers [Local 114th] have chosen me to represent them in the community," he says. Even when he's off his Harley, Dave seems to be enjoying the ride.

Dave lives on Forest Lake with his companion, Kim.