Theater News

Strike Apparently Averted as League and Equity Reach Tentative Agreement; Ratification Pending

New York City
According to a joint statement issued late this afternoon, “Actors’ Equity Association and the League of American Theatres and Producers…have reached a tentative agreement on a new four year Production Contract. Leadership from both sides will be meeting tomorrow to finalize the details of the contract. The Equity Council will review the agreement and will make a recommendation. The contract will then be sent to the Equity ratification group for vote. The contract will serve our industry and theatergoers well, keeping Broadway strong in New York and
creating more opportunities on the road.”

Earlier today, Actors’ Equity Association (AEA) held an emergency meeting to determine whether its members should begin a strike that would have shut down most Broadway shows and, possibly, Equity touring productions as well. For the past several weeks, AEA has been in contract talks with the League of American Theatres and Producers. One of the final sticking points of the negotiations was the increase in non-Equity tours of Broadway shows.

If a strike had occurred, it would have darkened Broadway for the second time in less than two years: In March 2003, the American Federation of Musicians, Local 802 struck for four days and AEA members went out in sympathy.