Equity in the News

Actors’ Equity Association has announced that a new name has been chosen for the tradition formerly known as the “Gypsy Robe.” Moving forward, the Robe and tradition, in which the longest-performing chorus member of each Broadway show is honored on opening night with a colorful patchwork garment, will be referred to as the “Legacy Robe,” a name chosen by members in a survey.

The Gypsy Robe will now be known as the Legacy Robe after a vote from members of Actors’ Equity.

The vote comes after the national council of Actors’ Equity decided to change the name due to concerns about the insensitivity of the term, which can be seen as derogatory towards people of Roma descent. The robe is awarded to the chorus member with the most Broadway credits on opening night of a new musical.

Actors' Equity Association has announced that a new name has been chosen for the tradition formerly known as the "Gypsy Robe." Moving forward, the Robe and tradition will be referred to as the "Legacy Robe" - a name chosen by members in a survey.

Actors’ Equity Association has revealed the new name for the “Gypsy Robe” ceremony, one of the theatre’s great opening night traditions honoring the work of chorus members in Broadway musicals.

Actors' Equity Association has announced a new name for the tradition formerly known as the "Gypsy Robe." Moving forward, the Robe and tradition will be referred to as the "Legacy Robe"—a name chosen by Equity members in a survey.

An old Broadway tradition has a brand new name: The “Gypsy Robe,” part of an opening night ceremony dating back to 1950, will now be called the “Legacy Robe.”

It is fair to say that until last spring, very few people who are not directly connected to Broadway Theatre knew about the “Gypsy Robe”—that is, until Actors’ Equity Association announced in April that it would be renaming the decades-old ritual (the new name, “Legacy Robe,” was announced today).

Actors’ Equity Association and the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society are speaking out against the Supreme Court ruling on public unions, as organized labor groups face political pressure across the country.

Mary McColl, Executive Director of Actors' Equity Association, the national labor union representing more than 51,000 professional actors and stage managers, released the following statement after the Supreme Court issued its ruling in Janus v. AFSCME.

As organized labor was left reeling from today’s Supreme Court’s decision in Janus v. AFSCME that public service employees don’t have to pay union fees, Hollywood guilds planted a flag of defiance.