Blair Carlson, a fourth-generation stagehand, began her Local 2 career in 2010. For three years she worked for apprentice scale at Chicagoland’s premier theatrical lighting shop, “The Lighting Connection” (TLC) where she learned to efficiently pull and prep theatrical electric gear from shop to show ready, make electrical tie-ins, balance electrical loads between dimmers, troubleshoot intelligent and conventional lighting instruments, program and operate ETC, HOG and grandMA lighting consoles. During this time Blair also participated in informational bannering, protest rallies and picketing and she’s a long-time monthly contributor to the IATSE-PAC.

In 2015, Blair was sworn into journeyman status and worked outdoor concerts, corporate events, theatres, arenas and led crews on installation, operation and take-outs of corporate events. She managed the event’s theatrical lighting needs, including programming, lighting design, operating the console on the event and she provided accurate payrolls.

In early 2018, Blair became the first female hired to a fulltime Local 2 crew position at the CSO by Orchestral Association Management. Both CSO Management and their Musicians are predominately female

In 2019, Local 2 President Michael Robinson appointed and Membership unanimously ratified Blair to become Local 2’s first ever female Executive Board Member, filling the vacancy created by Assistant Business Manager Frank Taylor’s ascension to Local 2 Vice-President.

Blair Co-Chairs Local 2’s Social Justice Committee, which was created to collaboratively work on philanthropic goals, social issues and provide a forum for all those interested in setting and meeting mutually beneficial goals. The Social Justice Committee’s provided more than 33,000 meals to the hungry and led blood drives which have helped more than one hundred in need.