Equity in the News BroadwayCom

Following the news that the regional theaters Barrington Stage Company and Berkshire Theatre Group will resume performances in the coming months, Actors' Equity has shared a public list of resources, including COVID-19 testing guidelines as well as a pre-production sheet, geared toward producers readying to resume live theater.

On May 6, Actors' Equity Association President Kate Shindle participated in a press call with fellow union professionals in the arts, entertainment and media industry to discuss the challenges and measures being taken in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. "Our members are hurting," she said. The Actors' Equity Association represents about 52,000 stage managers and actors working in the theater. As previously reported, the coronavirus crisis has resulted in the shutdown of Broadway, West End and other theatrical venues, leaving many in the theater community unemployed.

Actors' Equity Association has announced the 2019 Tony-winning musical Hadestown as winner of the 13th annual Award for Outstanding Broadway Chorus. Presented by Equity's Advisory Committee on Chorus Affairs, the award is the only industry accolade of its kind to honor the distinctive talents and contributions made by the original chorus members of a Broadway musical.

Actors' Equity Association has announced a new name for the tradition formerly known as the "Gypsy Robe." Moving forward, the Robe and tradition will be referred to as the "Legacy Robe"—a name chosen by Equity members in a survey.

This is quite the week for the company of Broadway's Once On This Island! On Sunday night, the production was named the 2018 Tony winner for Best Musical Revival, and now the show's chorus has been honored with Actors' Equity's 12th annual Outstanding Broadway Chorus Award.

Actors' Equity Association has announced that Equity's National Council has voted to retire the name "Gypsy Robe" at the end of this season.

Actors' Equity Association has announced the launch of a new national campaign to create two new Tony Award categories, Best Chorus in a Musical or Play and Best Ensemble in a Musical or Play.