The California Council for the Humanities connects Californians to ideas and one another in order to understand
our shared heritage and diverse cultures, inspire civic participation, and shape our future.

California Story Fund

The Drill Team

Harry Bridges Project
Los Angeles
Project Director: Ian Ruskin

Documenting the drill team of a union local

For over 40 years, the drill team of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 10, which represents dockworkers n San Francisco, has performed at hundreds of pubic events in California and across America. This project will document in video the stories of 15 current and past member of the drill team who have come together to build a unique institution.

A team of scholars assisted by youth interns will conduct the interviews.

“We aim to collect stories illuminating why individuals became involved in the team, their experiences as team members and what being a part of this performance group means to them,” said Project Director Ian Ruskin, founder of the Harry Bridges Project.

In addition to the stories of members, the video will include historical footage of the development of drill teams, interviews with scholars and footage of the drill team in action.

The project will conclude with a public screening of the video at the San Francisco Public Library.
© 2007 The California Council for the Humanities