Equity in the News

Three area theater groups have joined hundreds of others from around the country in an appeal to Congress for $9 billion in emergency arts funding.

Actors’ Equity Association has thrown its support behind Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, marking only the second time in the trade union’s history that it has made a political endorsement.

Taking a rare sidestep from neutrality, the union representing more than 51,000 stage actors and managers across the United States announced Monday its endorsement of the Democratic presidential ticket of Joe Biden and Kamala D. Harris.

More than 260 theaters representing producers in 37 states and the District of Columbia have signed the letter.

When Walt Disney World opened back up in July, it was missing a few things. It didn’t have fireworks, shows, or parades, but it was also missing one of the most magical parts: its performers.

After almost six months of nationwide shutdowns because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Actors’ Equity Association is allowing three theater companies to mount indoor shows using union members.

The venues, all small nonprofits in New England, will be permitted by Actors’ Equity to put on work with union actors.

Indoor productions at East Lynne Theatre Company, Music Theatre of Connecticut, and Northern Stage have been approved by the actor's union.

The COVID pandemic has hit many industries hard, but theater artists have had more trouble than most getting back on their feet, and many are facing dwindling options with no federal safety net to fall back on.

When Disney World reopened last month, it wasn’t entirely clear how a theme park could operate safely during a global pandemic, or if anything resembling a normal crowd would even be willing to take the risk. Earlier this week, the park announced plans to reduce its hours starting in September, after the company reported reduced turnout and “adversely impacted” earnings. Now, Disney has announced plans to open a coronavirus testing center on Walt Disney World property.