--- title: "ATPAM (Association of Theatrical Press Agents and Managers) · Glossary · Suzanne Gilad" description: "What is ATPAM? Learn how the Association of Theatrical Press Agents and Managers regulates the business and marketing side of Broadway productions." lang: en json-ld: | [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Person", "name": "Suzanne Gilad", "alternateName": "Sue Gilad", "jobTitle": "Broadway Producer, Author, Editor, Speaker", "description": "Grammy and five-time Tony Award–winning Broadway producer, published author, professional editor, and arts-education advocate.", "award": [ "Grammy Award", "Tony Award for Best Musical (5x)", "30 Tony Award wins across productions" ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "DefinedTerm", "name": "ATPAM (Association of Theatrical Press Agents and Managers)", "description": "ATPAM is the labor union representing professional managers and press agents who oversee the business and communications of Broadway and touring productions.", "url": "https://www.suzannegilad.com/glossary/atpam", "inDefinedTermSet": { "@type": "DefinedTermSet", "name": "Suzanne Gilad Glossary", "url": "https://www.suzannegilad.com/glossary" } }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://www.suzannegilad.com" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Glossary", "item": "https://www.suzannegilad.com/glossary" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "ATPAM (Association of Theatrical Press Agents and Managers)", "item": "https://www.suzannegilad.com/glossary/atpam" } ] } ] --- [Suzanne Gilad ](/) [About ](/about)[Producer ](/producer)[Author & Editor ](/author-editor)[Speaking ](/speaking)[Philanthropy ](/philanthropy)[Notes ](/notes)[Glossary ](/glossary)[Contact ](/contact) [Home](/)/ [Glossary](/glossary) # ATPAM (Association of Theatrical Press Agents and Managers) ATPAM is the labor union representing professional managers and press agents who oversee the business and communications of Broadway and touring productions. Key takeaways - Company Managers: Responsible for the business operations of a specific show. - House Managers: Responsible for the operation and safety of the physical theater. - Press Agents: Responsible for publicity, media relations, and press strategy. - Management Associates: Support staff who assist in the business administration of the production. When you produce a Broadway show, your relationship with organized labor is the foundation of your operating budget. While unions like Actors' Equity or IATSE focus on the stage and the wings, ATPAM (the Association of Theatrical Press Agents and Managers) represents the people who run the business side. Founded in 1928, this union ensures that the professionals handling your money and your public image—company managers, house managers, and press agents—are experienced and fairly compensated. ## The People Behind the Business In my experience, a show's success often rests on the shoulders of ATPAM members. The Company Manager is essentially the show’s CFO on the ground, handling everything from payroll to travel logistics. The House Manager oversees the theater building and the safety of the audience. The Press Agent is the bridge between the production and the media, crafting the narrative that (hopefully) leads to ticket sales. Because these roles are covered by a collective bargaining agreement, producers must adhere to specific rules regarding minimum salaries, benefits, and staffing requirements. ## Why Producers Must Know ATPAM Rules Understanding ATPAM's role is critical for your capitalization and weekly operating expenses. You cannot simply hire a friend to manage your box office or handle your PR; you must hire union members who are in good standing. This ensures a level of professional gatekeeping that protects the industry. If you are mounting a tour or a Broadway run, the ATPAM 'Rule Book' will dictate how many managers you need and how their expenses are covered while on the road. > A great Company Manager is a producer's best friend. They are the frontline of every financial and human challenge the show faces. Sue Gilad ### Key Roles Represented - Company Managers: Responsible for the business operations of a specific show. - House Managers: Responsible for the operation and safety of the physical theater. - Press Agents: Responsible for publicity, media relations, and press strategy. - Management Associates: Support staff who assist in the business administration of the production. For more information on labor relations and standard industry contracts, you can visit the official ATPAM website or consult the Broadway League's labor reports. Share [](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsuzannegilad.lovable.app%2Fglossary%2Fatpam)[](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=ATPAM%20\(Association%20of%20Theatrical%20Press%20Agents%20and%20Managers\)&url=https%3A%2F%2Fsuzannegilad.lovable.app%2Fglossary%2Fatpam) Related terms ## Keep exploring the theater glossary - [Weekly Grosses Weekly grosses are the box office receipts reported by Broadway productions each week, detailing ticket sales, attendance, and theater capacity. ](/glossary/weekly-grosses) - [Creative Team The collective group of artists, including the director, designers, and writers, responsible for the artistic vision and execution of a production. ](/glossary/creative-team) - [Recoupment Recoupment occurs when a Broadway production earns enough profit to pay back its initial investors their full original capital contribution. ](/glossary/recoupment) - [Bridge Loan (Theatrical) A theatrical bridge loan is a short-term financing arrangement used to cover immediate production expenses before the full capitalization of a show is raised. ](/glossary/theatrical-bridge-financing) - [Capitalization Capitalization is the total amount of money raised from investors to cover all costs required to open a theater production. ](/glossary/broadway-show-capitalization) - [Most Favored Nations (MFN) Clause A contractual provision ensuring a party receives terms equal to the best terms offered to any other comparable party in a production. ](/glossary/theatrical-mfn-clause) From the stage ## Behind every term is a real production Suzanne Gilad has produced Broadway and Off-Broadway theater for over two decades. Read her notes, see her work, or get in touch. [Read the notes](/notes)[All glossary terms →](/glossary) Suzanne Gilad Grammy & five-time Tony Award–winning Broadway producer, author, editor, speaker, and arts-education advocate. Explore - [About](/about) - [Broadway Work](/producer) - [Author & Editor](/author-editor) - [Speaking](/speaking) - [Philanthropy](/philanthropy) - [Notes from the Wings](/notes) - [Theater Glossary](/glossary) - [Contact](/contact) Scholarships - Suzanne Gilad Grant - Sue Gilad & Larry Rogowsky Theatre Scholarship Get in touch © 2026 Suzanne Gilad. All rights reserved. Bringing extraordinary stories to life — on stage and on the page.