actors’ equity

MASKED AUDIENCES, CAR & DRIVERS FOR CAST: ACTORS’ EQUITY WANTS PRICEY PROTECTIONS BEFORE MEMBERS RETURN

March 9, 2021 by Philip Boroff

EXCLUSIVE: For theater actors, a car and driver is generally a perquisite reserved for bankable stars.

In this pandemic, the labor union Actors’ Equity Association considers private transport a basic necessity.

“Mass-transit will not be used and if needed, dedicated transportation arrangements will be arranged by the employer,” Equity announced last week in a post on its website that details safety protocols for indoor productions with an audience. Equity, which represents actors and stage managers, lists just one “dedicated transportation arrangement” (presumably in addition to walking, biking and operating one’s own vehicle): a private car service with a driver who’s masked and gloved.Continue Reading

ACTORS’ EQUITY ENDS STRIKE AGAINST BROADWAY LEAGUE

February 8, 2019 by Philip Boroff

After 33 days, Actors’ Equity has ended its limited strike against the Broadway League over how its members are compensated for developing new work.

Actors had sought profit share and a raise from the current $1,000 weekly salary when participating in a developmental lab, which are multi-week workshops to create new plays and musicals.Continue Reading

‘DO NOT WORK’: ACTORS’ EQUITY AUTHORIZES MINI STRIKE

January 7, 2019 by Philip Boroff

Actors’ Equity Association, which has been negotiating a new contract for play and musical development, authorized a strike today to halt collaboration in rehearsal rooms known as developmental labs.

‘MORMON’ PAYS MILLIONS TO WORKSHOP CAST AS ACTORS DEVELOPING NEW SHOWS FIND ROYALTIES IN SHORT SUPPLY

April 15, 2016 by Philip Boroff

UPDATE to include Hamilton accord: As the cast of Hamilton looks forward to a portion of profits from the blockbuster, The Book of Mormon has paid its workshop actors about $3 million to-date for helping to develop that Broadway smash.

The estimate of royalties is based on financial results for Mormon obtained from the office of New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman via a Freedom of Information Law request. (Royalties include only the Broadway production, as data from the London production and two national tours weren’t made available.) Chris Boneau, a Mormon spokesman, declined to comment.