ATPAM, a labor organization representing press agents and house managers, voted June 23 to reelect its top three officers: President Maria Somma, Vice President Robert Nolan and Secretary Treasurer Gordon G. Forbes. All three ran unopposed, and they all started their new three-year terms in mid-June. ATPAM's Board of Governors also held elections, and Douglas Banker was reelected Chairman of the Manager Chapter, while Jim Baldassare was reelected Chairman of the Press Agent Chapter.

Press agents handle promotional arrangements for a show, including arranging photo opportunities for the media and coordinating when critics come to review the production. Company managers work for the producers; house managers work for the theatre owner (e.g., the Shuberts, Jujamcyn).

For the first time (starting this new season), ATPAM officers and board members will be allowed to vote for the Tony Awards. Also, ATPAM will, for the first time, be credited alongside other theatrical unions and guilds in all Playbill magazines.

In 1994, ATPAM signed a provisional merger with the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE); that merger becomes permanent July 1 of this year, with ATPAM officially dubbed "Local 18032 of IATSE."

-- By David Lefkowitz