Equity in the News

Performers who help develop successful Broadway shows will share in the profits under a landmark agreement between theater producers and the union representing actors.

Actors’ Equity Association and Broadway producers have reached what Equity is calling a "historic" agreement on a profit-sharing contract model for union members participating in early stage production development.

In a groundbreaking agreement Friday, the commercial producers who finance Broadway’s big hits have agreed to give a percentage of profits to performers who help develop successful shows.

Actors’ Equity Association has ended its strike. The actors and stage managers’ union has reached an agreement with the Broadway League regarding the lab agreement, which governs developmental projects on Broadway.

Actors’ Equity and the Broadway League have reached an agreement to replace the lab contract, ending the strike that began 33 days ago.

This big idea makes a $15 dollar an hour minimum wage look squarely like small-minded incrementalism, and it won’t empty the federal treasury.

But nobody is talking about it except Broadway actors.

Actors’ Equity has approved a fund for members who may lose out on work during the strike against developmental work, according to a letter sent to its members Tuesday.

Actors aren’t “lab rats” to be used and disposed of, say theater union officials who have launched a strike against plays in development.

No show springs fully formed from first reading to opening night. Actors challenge the authors, the director, the designers. 

Actors’ Equity Association is pushing for a piece of the profits, saying its members are a critical part of the creative process. And in a rare move, the union has authorized a strike against the Broadway League, the trade group that represents producers.