New Rates Apply for Tony-Eligible Theatres in Broadway District Equity Tightens Restrictions for Use of Special Production Contract

Actors' Equity has upped minimums for three Tony-eligible theatres in the Broadway district:
Circle-in-the-Square, the Helen Hayes and the Henry Miller Theatres. The three theatres operate under Equity's "Special Production" Contract, which is designated for theatres with less than 700 seats.

According to Alan Eisenberg, Equity's Executive Director, a "comprehensive review of all of the labor agreements at these theatres and other relevant economic factors" prompted Equity's decision. The recent increase in minimums for LORT theatres who produce on Broadway - the Roundabout, Lincoln Center, and Manhattan Theatre Club (at the Biltmore), also influenced Equity's decision.

The new minimums will reach 85% of the full Production Contract salaries, which reflects the theatres' smaller capacities (the Helen Hayes has 597 seats; the Henry Miller has 631 and Circle in the Square has 623). The weekly minimum for actors at these theatres will be $1107.00, and $1748 for stage managers (musicals). Salaries will go up again in June, 2003.

The changes will not affect shows currently running at these theatres: METAMORPHOSES will be allowed to continue under its current Special Production agreement until it expires; URINETOWN (Henry Miller) and SAY GOODNIGHT GRACIE (Helen Hayes) already operate under full production contracts with higher minimums. Increases will not apply when the Special Production Contract is approved for use in other theatres in the Eastern Region.

Equity Business Representative Walt Kiskaddon, who administers the contract, explained that the agreement is promulgated, and not collectively bargained, so that it is not automatically granted to producers who want to use it. "There is a new restriction that, in Tony-eligible theatres, the contract may only be used if there are more than 9 on-stage actors" - an indication that the Union may be flexible with larger casts. "We will not grant the contract in any situation where half or more of the on-stage actors are earning Production Contract salaries."

David Lotz
Director of Communications
October 9, 2002

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