CV: A living document

​ 

Kayleigh Truman, M.A.

Ph.D. Student at Rutgers SMLR

Cornell Worker Institute Fellow

IATSE Local One

Rutgers AAUP-AFT

​Certified Mental Health First Aid Instructor

​

Email: Kayleigh.Truman@gmail.com

         Ket105@smlr.rutgers.edu 

Phone: 201-362-5122


Publications: 


Koziel, R. J., McEachern, P. J., & Truman, K. (2026). No more missed opportunities: Benefits and methods of educating the next generation of I-O psychologists to work with labor unions. Industrial and Organizational Psychology.

https://doi.org/10.1017/iop.2026.10077 


"AI Utilization, Disability and Discrimination" By Kayleigh Truman

“A Better Tomorrow” Research & Reflections on the Past, Present, and Future of Workers   Rutgers LEARN  White Paper #7507


Conference Presentations: 

  •  "Access, Advancement, and Autonomy: Disability and work across Traditional and Gig Labor Markets."
  • ​LERA Session 2026
  • ​Presenting: "3 Identities in a Trench Coat: A Reflexive Thematic Analysis of How do Neurodivergent Entertainment Workers Navigate the Entertainment Gig Economy?" 
  • "3 Identities in a Trench Coat: A Reflexive Thematic Analysis of How Neurodivergent Entertainment Workers Navigate the Entertainment Gig Economy?"
  • LERA Poster Session, 2026
  • "Agency, Power, and Stress"
  • ​Technical Trust Fund, Training Directors Summit, I.A.T.S.E International, 2026
  • "Psychological Safety for the Safety Conscious"
  • ​Co-presented with Milly Rodriguez
  • COSHCon, Chicago, IL. 
  • “Resist, Rest, Repeat: Fighting the System While Caring for Ourselves"
  • Presenters: Arianna Drakotos Schindle, Katie Weidling, Kayleigh Truman, Liz Davis-Frost
  • Presented at the 2025 UALE Conference, Los Angeles, CA
  • "Agency and Power: Balancing Mental Health in the Entertainment Industry"
  • Based on a presentation co-created for NATCON 2023 by Kayleigh Truman
  • Presented yearly for IATSE Local One, NYC, NY
  • Versions presented for The Behind The Scenes, Wellness Lounge, LDI, Las Vegas, NV
  • "Fostering Employment of Disabled Workers in Theater"
  • Panel discussion at USITT, Columbus, Ohio
  • "Engaging Reluctant Employers: Taking the Cost out of Mental Health Change"
  • Developed for The Behind the Scenes Wellness Lounge at LDI, Las Vegas, NV 


Researcher Positions:

  • Graduate Researcher with Dr. Douglas Kruse and Dr. Lisa Schur, Rutgers University
  • Researcher with L.E.A.R.N (Labor Education and Research Network), Rutgers University


Academic Research Interests:

  • Invisible disabilities and Mental Health of Workers
  • The Entertainment Labor Economy
  • Precarious and Gig Employment


Program Completions:

  • UCLA Strategic Research Bootcamp, 2026


Professional Positions:


Current:

  • Property Sub on "& Juliet" at The Sondheim Theater 2022-Present
  • Learn House Prop tracks for planned emergency coverage
  • Assist in show and venue maintenance
  • Props/Carps Stagehand with the Roundabout Theater Company, 2017 - Present
  • Assist in the load-in, running, and out of shows as needed.
  • Assist in crafting and design as needed
  • Sub as Props swing as needed
  •  Props hand at The Sondheim Theater, Aug 2017 - Present
  • Assist in load ins/techs/outs of all shows
  • Learn tracks as sub, as needed
  • Assist in crafting and design as needed


Past Positions:

  • Electrician at Madison Square Garden, March 2018 - 2023
  • Assist in loading in and out of multi-trailer tours for the MSG Arena and Hulu Theater.
  • Assemble truss, towers, racks and grids as needed
  • Has worked on Billy Joel, Elton John, Drake, ELO, P!nk, etc...
  • ​Props Sub/tech on Mrs. Doubtfire,        Feb. 2020 - May 2022
  • Learn Props sub tracks to cover house positions
  • Assist in crafting and design as needed
  • Position on hold due to Covid-19


                                    

  • Sub-House Technician at Lincoln Center Theater, Aug 2017 - April 2023
  • Maintain all house and decorative lighting fixtures throughout LTC
  • Set up all rehearsal spaces and operate house sound system for said rehearsals
  • Coordinate with other departments’ needs and layouts for special events

 

  • Overhire Carpenter and Electrician at Jazz at Lincoln Center, Feb. 2017 - April 2023
  • Load in and out both touring and house productions
  • Help run live events as needed
  • Assist with industrials, live music, conferences, weddings, and other live events
  •  Props Swing on "Slava's Snow Show", Oct. 2019 to Jan 2020
  • Cover all house props tracks as needed
  • Assist talent in all prop transitions and special effects
  • Help maintain and clean up "blizzard snow effect"
  •  Props sub for "Beautiful: The Carol King Musical" on Broadway, Aug. 2017 to Oct. 2019
  • Cover Deck Right house Props track
  • Assist in automated transitions with knifing furniture/prop pieces
  •  Deck Props and Special Effects For "King Lear" on Broadway, Jan 2019 to June 2019
  • Co-develop special effects needed, including custom blood packs, CO2-powered squibs, Eye gouge rigs
  • Maintain all special effects and trick props throughout run
  • Assist in all clean up pre- and post-show
  • Props Head Sub at American Airlines Theater, Sept 2017 to Dec 2018
  • Cover the Properties Head on both work and show calls
  • Lead team during work calls to efficiently complete note lists
  • Assist Head in organization and maintenance of prop storage facilities

 

  • Local One Apprentice at American Airlines Theatre, Sept 2015- Sept 2017
  • Worked full time in subscription-based, non-profit Broadway house
  • Fulfill role on all show calls varying from A2, Deck Electrician, Automation Second, etc.
  • Assist in maintaining all lighting fixtures, rehearsal spaces and house inventories. 

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  • Carpenter and Rigger at Clare Tow Theater at Lincoln Center, Sept 2014 - 2020
  • Assist house crew in load-ins of scenic and prop elements
  • Help design and fabricate any “trick” or special effect prop needs
  • Function as liaison between design team and other technical departments

 

  • Over Hire Props Artisan at the Signature Theater, Oct 2014 - Sept 2015
  • Complete complex props and dressing in expedited and timely fashion
  • Fabricate and re-engineer prop prototypes
  • Communicate effectively between other departments and designers

 

  • Over Hire at the New Victory Theater on 42nd Street, Feb 2014 - Dec 2017
  • Assist in Lighting and scenic load-ins
  • Cable, dress, and focus house and traveling lighting package
  • Assist in the restoration and strike of all touring shows
  • Other Various Theater Experiences from 2014 back to 2010