Equity in the News Membership

Changes in faces, places, and union rules might be harbingers of a shifting landscape in Chicago theater.

What will the union’s new Open Access mean for the theatre industry? Here’s our stab at an explainer.

The Open Access membership policy will also make it easier for former members of Equity to rejoin the union.

Theater actors will now have an easier time becoming a member of Actors’ Equity Association: The union has announced that it will now open membership to any actor or stage manager who has worked professionally in the United States.

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.”