[7] SDC also provides Tier, Regional Commercial, Development, and Special contracts to protect Members who wish to work for theatres or producers not covered by or referenced to one of the above-mentioned Collectively Bargained Agreements.

[8] In addition, SDC negotiates Independent Producer Agreements with individual theatres, some of which reference a collectively bargained agreement listed above, while others are unique to a specific organization such as Steppenwolf, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, New York Stage and Film, or The Eugene O’Neill Theater Center, to name a few.

Associate Members may not file contracts unless compelled to by the union security provisions in an employer's collectively bargained agreement.

SDCF supports the building of a theatrical community that reflects the cultural, racial, and gender diversity of the nation by creating opportunities for artists of all backgrounds to bring their full, authentic selves to their work as creative leaders in the theatre.

Among the other founders were Abe Burrows, Harold Clurman, Agnes de Mille, Bob Fosse, Hanya Holm, Elia Kazan, and Stuart Vaughan.

In a case against producer Jay Julien, litigated for eight years and decided in 1975, SDC won the important distinction that its Members are employees.

SDC has tackled the complex issue of intellectual property rights with such cases as Gerald Gutierrez's The Most Happy Fella (1994), Joe Mantello's Love!

These cases signified major achievements in the Union's fight for directorial and choreographic intellectual property rights recognition.

[23] A second survey, deployed in June 2020, included questions exploring the financial and emotional impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the field's response to the calls for racial justice, and the resources needed to reopen the industry in an equitable, just, and sustainable way.

This successful collaboration led to the publication of the acclaimed AGMA/SDC Return to Stage and Performing Arts Playbook (currently in its fourth revision); ongoing Special Guidance Updates; and a COVID-19 response webinar series.

[24][25] In February, 2022, Actors’ Equity Association announced that they engaged the same team of scientists as public health consultants—thereby creating more consistency in safety protocols across the industry.

Throughout the pandemic, SDC has been steadfast in its endeavor to elevate the profile of stage directors and choreographers by setting new standards for the capture of live stage productions, including fair compensation, prominent billing, collaboration with the Camera Director, and consultation on captured material prior to distribution.