"Congress should use this moment to approve funding for the National Endowment for the Arts at the proposed $201 million."
Advocates for the creative economy — from the head of a performing arts center to a venue owner, an actor and an Actors’ Equity exec — lobbied Congress today to shore up the industry before it’s too late amid an ongoing Covid-19 crisis.
Equity honors the hard-working performers who go onstage, sometimes at a moment's notice, for multiple roles.
The decision shines a spotlight on the tense relationship between Broadway producers and Broadway’s 14 unions in these difficult times.
The unions say the producer, behind hits including “Rent”, “Avenue Q”, “In the Heights”, and “Six”, is manipulating the Covid situation to avoid the traditionally slow winter months.
“Continued action is necessary to ensure our government is one that serves all of its constituents, and not those who show the most force.”
Frey told Observer, “The labor movement was becoming hot, so to speak, and members were really getting activated and needed a way to organize and funnel that energy.”
As Omicron spreads, shows are relying on replacement actors more than ever. And productions without enough of them have had to cancel performances.
Actors’ Equity has named Alvin Vincent, Jr., an executive within the United Food & Commercial Workers International Union, as its new executive director.
"We look forward to working with Dr. Jackson as the entire industry continues to push toward a fair and just recovery from COVID-19." Said AEA President Kate Shindle.