Equity in the News November 2018

Kudos to Actors’ Equity and Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS for hearing the voices of those who found the phrase “gypsy”—once used to denote ensemblists who moved from show to show—no longer culturally sensitive.

Over a decade ago, an agreement was made between the Broadway League and Actors' Equity Association, which cemented a weekly minimum wage for actors participating in developmental labs. Negotiations began yesterday between the two organizations for an update to those policies, and Actors' Equity is trying to get the word out.

Actors' Equity has launched a social media campaign and petition calling for changes to the developmental lab agreement as the union begins negotiations with The Broadway League.

With high-profile midterm elections taking place all over the country tomorrow, the nation’s actor unions are doing their part to encourage performers to get out and vote. In a weekend email, Actors' Equity, the nation’s union for stage actors and stage managers encouraged their members to make a plan for voting and figure out the logistics.

Proposition E seeks to dedicate 1.5 percent of the base hotel tax — a 14 percent tax levied on hotel stays in the city — to support arts and culture programs. The city estimates this could add more than $15 million in funding over the next two years.

Landing at a time when there is heightened national awareness around issues of gender equity and parity, New Dawn is just the latest Twin Cities theater company aimed at broadening opportunities for an overlooked talent pool.