We are deeply saddened to hear of the tragic passing of Rebecca Luker. Her 3 decades of work on the New York stage have inspired so many performers. She will be missed. We send our heartfelt condolences to her friends and family during this difficult time.
The murder of George Floyd was unconscionable and indefensible. We stand in the community that seeks justice for George Floyd and the families of all Black Americans who have had their lives taken by racism and white supremacy.
After a 15-month effort, the strippers of Star Gardens Topless Dive Bar in North Hollywood, CA have achieved their goal of union recognition – Congratulations!
Next step: a fair contract for these workers.
”Unacceptable. Any response must put the workers first and protect the actors, stage managers and everyone who works in the theater.” - Mary McColl, Executive Director of Actors’ Equity.
Update:
@NYCMayor
to
@CNN
: “I don’t want to see Broadway go dark if we can avoid it. What we’re trying to figure out is if there’s a way to reduce the capacity, the # of people.If we cannot strike that balance,of course we can go to closure”
New rules tba
It's been 11 years since the Developmental Lab agreement with the
@BroadwayLeague
was created. No one should be earning the same salary they were 11 years ago. Help us show them you're
#NotALabRat
. You're
#EquityStrong
-
Today, we are thankful for the producers of
@MeanGirlsBway
. No Burn Book entry for them! Equity members offered creative contributions during show development and got profit sharing in return. You go, Mean Girls!
#NotALabRat
New York City members -
Starting on Monday, October 12, Hell's Kitchen restaurants Marseille and Nizza are offering an "eat now and pay later" offer for anyone with an Actors' Equity card.
We see how attacks on performers are connected to the larger effort to strip transgender people of their constitutional rights, and we denounce it wholeheartedly. We call for an end to attacks – physical, legislative and otherwise.
We are happy to announce that today the strippers at Star Garden Topless Dive Bar in North Hollywood filed for an election with the National Labor Relations Board to formally become a bargaining unit with Equity.
North Shore Music Theatre stagehands and theatre techs are ON STRIKE for their first union contract in Beverly, MA.
They cite owner Bill Hanney's refusal to pay livable wages to the folks who make the theatre's acclaimed productions possible.
NO CONTRACT, NO SHOWS
#Striketober
We stand with IATSE in their demand for a humane and reasonable contract. Every worker deserves safe working conditions. Solidarity forever!
#1u
#Solidarity
BREAKING: We just launched a petition demanding the AMPTP negotiates a sustainable deal for film and tv workers.
If enough of us sign, we can show we stand as one in our fight to end unsafe hours, unlivable wages, and lack of reasonable rest on set.
Regardless of any changes in government mandates, our safety protocols have not changed. Equity safety protocols have placed the unique concerns of our theatrical workplaces above variations in local regulations, and they will continue to do so.
Why does
@Disney
think that their park performers don’t deserve regular testing? If you think Walt Disney World performers deserve testing like the actors on film productions, please SHARE.
What can we say other than to express appreciation for all the songs and all the shows, and for being a voice saying that what we do, the art we put into the world, matters. Thank you, Stephen Sondheim.
We hear the chatter about boys learning to dance at a young age. What might start as a hobby can lead to a fulfilling career in the arts.
Men of Equity, reply with your story of how you became the dancers you are today!
#BoysDanceToo
SHAME: Today we put
@TootsieMusical
on the list of non-Equity tours. There’s no way to dress it up. Producers rescinded their union job offers and now Troika Entertainment is casting for a non-union tour of the exact same show.
#AskifitsEquity
Walt Disney World Update –
@Disney
has announced that it is providing space for testing in the parks, including for Equity performers within Walt Disney World. With that, Equity’s executive committee has signed off on the MOU with Disney permitting our performers to return.
The National Council of
@ActorsEquity
has approved the terms of a new contract with the
@BroadwayLeague
to replace the Lab Agreement, ending Equity’s first strike in decades.
#EquityWorks
Who makes sure the snow, the projections, the lighting, the set and the performers all work in sync -- and so much more? Actors' Equity Stage Managers, the unsung heroes of every show and of this
#TonyAwards
broadcast.
A message of support from Equity President Kate Shindle with
@sagaftra
: "Nobody should step in front of a camera fearing that today's work will be mined, manipulated or repurposed in the future without consent or compensation."
Excited to give this award to
@OnceIslandBway
, which exemplifies and promotes the union's founding principles of diversity, inclusion, nontraditional casting, and equal opportunity for all who work in theater.
We are sorry to learn of the death of Terry Teachout. His writing about theatre elevated the artform, and his commitment to covering shows all over the country helped shine a spotlight on actors and stage managers everywhere. We will miss him.
Lena Horne, who was an Equity member and a recipient of our Paul Robeson Award, was honored today with a
@USPS
Postage Stamp in their Black Heritage series.
"...a study by Actors’ Equity found that actors and stage managers who were women or people of color got fewer jobs and ended up in lower-paying shows compared to white male theater artists." - via
@TIME
Today Equity filed with the National Labor Relations Board to bargain on behalf of the actors and stage managers in the NETworks tour (
@NETworksonTour
) of
@WaitressMusical
. (1/4)
With today's news regarding theaters on Broadway and beyond going dark, we have entered uncharted territory. We know that this is an uncomfortable place to be if you're an Equity member, and we hear you loud and clear. One of the most asked questions is "will I be paid?"
Our social media accounts will go dark today at noon for 8 minutes and 46 seconds in solidarity with the
#StrikeForBlackLives
, the fight for justice in Black communities and affirmation of our continued fight for the rights of workers everywhere to form a union.
#BlackLivesMatter
.
@sagaftra
is still striking for a fair contract.
Equity stands in solidarity w/ our union siblings. The positive momentum the WGA has achieved with their tentative agreement will help all performers who are still striking for better working conditions. Keep showing your support!
Equity’s National Council authorized a strike for the Lab Agreement, Workshop Agreement and Staged Reading Contracts & Staged Reading Guidelines with the Broadway League. DO NOT WORK show development with the Broadway League.
#NotALabRat
As a union, we represent workers, not technology. Actors and stage managers, not cameras and microphones. That means our focus is on contracts that allow members the opportunity to earn fair pay and health care.
Garth Drabinsky – including any production where he is acting in any producing capacity – has been added to our Do Not Work List.
For more information, visit
Equity Endorses Brandon Johnson for Mayor of Chicago!
“
@Brandon4Chicago
shares so many of Equity's values and priorities,” said
@AEAPresident
. “He will be a powerful voice for the thousands of arts professionals who live or work in Chicago.” Read more at
We applaud all of the Equity members who have worked on Broadway's Phantom of the Opera over the years. You and the other theater professionals of our sibling unions have brought this show to life for over 3 decades. Bravo to the cast and crew of tonight's final performance!
Paradise Square Stage manager Christopher Kee Anaya-Gorman made an appearance at the
#TonyAwards
! Can't get enough of the love and support being given to the mighty stage managers, understudies and swings of this season.
Our thoughts? Thumbs down:
Paying Workers ❌
Workers' Compensation Insurance ❌
COVID-19 Testing ❌
Bringing culture back is more than just "performance" - It is about making sure workers are safe and paid fairly for their work.
We are devastated by the news of Marin Mazzie's passing. She was a leading lady who gave new definition to strength both on and off stage. Our hearts are with
@JasonDanieley
and everyone else who loved her.
Thank you
@ArianaDeBose
for making time last night to shine a spotlight on the other hard working theatre professionals making art happen night after night - swings, understudies, dance captains and stage managers!
#TonyAwards
@MachinistsUnion
@Delta
You know what isn’t a game? Working in a safe environment for fair compensation. A worker’s livelihood isn’t something to crack jokes about,
@Delta
.
After leaving the armed forces, veterans come back to civilian life, with many pursuing passions they had before enlisting.
For that, we look to U.S. Marine veteran and Tony nominee Adam Driver for this week's
#MondayMotivation
.
Take action to stop Congress from raising taxes to pay for huge giveaways on the backs of working people: Call your senators at 844-899-9913.
#GOPTaxPlan
Workers at Disneyland are looking to unionize with Actors' Equity!
“It is uniquely important Disney remains a place that people view as magical, and I think that (unionizing) will improve that across the board.” said Kate Shindle, president of Equity.
Two weeks ago, we asked Equity members, EMCs and theatre lovers everywhere to demand that Congress provide support for entertainment workers. 28,000 emails later, Congress listened and passed the CARES Act.
Actors' Equity is of both the arts and the labor movement. At its best, theatre can strengthen empathy and our common humanity, while the labor movement is committed to dignity and equal treatment. Though our theaters are dark right now, we will not stand silent.
Over 28,000 emails were sent to various representatives asking for Congress to act on aiding arts and entertainment workers. Thank you
@RepJerryNadler
@SenSchumer
@RepMaloney
for championing the CARES Act and giving the support needed to professionals in our industry.
As of yesterday, it has been three months since our industry shut down. Theaters remain closed, as do many of the industries that you rely on for additional income. We hear you and we see you.
Today is National Swing Day! We celebrate hard-working swings everywhere for doing some of the toughest jobs on stage. We kick off the day with this lovely message from the swings of
@TheCherShow
! Be sure to share your Swing Day posts with
#EquityTeamSwing
!
After an incredibly breathtaking performance, Joaquina Kalukango wins the Tony for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical!
@ParadiseSquare
#TonyAwards
Performing arts and entertainment workers in New York City can now schedule their COVID-19 vaccine appointments for the Broadway vaccination site via
@TheActorsFund
.
Click here to learn how to get your appointment scheduled -
📢Calling on Equity members in LA, NYC, Chicago, Philly and ATL! Tomorrow is the
@WGAEast
@WGAWest
and
@sagaftra
National Day of Solidarity. Find a strike near you to participate in solidarity and join in the demand for a fair contract.
Actors’ Equity Association is calling the pending expiration of federal pandemic unemployment benefits “inexcusable” and says Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell “dithers” as theater workers “stare down an uncertain future.” - via
@Deadline
Equity members earn health care through weeks worked within a given year. Due to theater closures around the country, tens of thousands of theatre artists stand to lose access to healthcare. Congress must pass the Worker Health Coverage Protection Act.
Today we celebrate Peppermint, the first trans woman to originate a principal role on Broadway! Thank you for bringing Pythio of "Head Over Heels" to life.
#WomensHistoryMonth
@Peppermint247
Either invoke the 25th amendment or Congress must impeach – the only two options left after yesterday’s heinous attempt to subvert the democratic process.
What happened at the U.S. Capitol yesterday was an insurrection against the United States, incited by President Trump.
This president must not hold office one day longer.
We are deeply concerned about the revelations in
@noritachiquita
's statement released today. We are looking into everything they brought forward. We recognize this was a truly painful experience that shouldn’t have happened.
The arts and theatre have been hurting since COVID-19 struck. But the path forward is clearer with the passage of
#SaveOurStages
and the
#AmericanRescuePlan
. Thank you for your leadership
@SenSchumer
!
I’m so proud we delivered for the arts in New York and across the country with
#SaveOurStages
and the
#AmericanRescuePlan
.
Here’s how you can help us bring back the arts in New York and across America ➡
The Broadway League has declined to voluntarily recognize the unionization of Broadway's PAs, so we have filed with the NLRB for an election. Read our full press release: 🔗