Chicago – Actors' Equity Association, the national union representing more than 51,000 professional actors and stage managers in live theatre, has named David Kolen as the new assistant executive director for the Central Region of the union, effective immediately.
"Through his time at Equity, David Kolen has shown countless times what it means to walk the walk," said Al Vincent, Jr., executive director for Actors' Equity Association. "No matter what this industry throws at him, he handles it with grace and deep knowledge. Members in the Central Region have long valued his leadership through his work on many agreements, including the Chicago Area Theatre Agreement, Second City and multiple dinner theatres. David was instrumental in getting our first contract over the finish line for Drunk Shakespeare, and has served our members at the bargaining table for everything from LORT to Casa Bonita. He is more than ready to take on this new role."
As the assistant executive director based in Chicago, Kolen will oversee the union's operations in 16 states, including collective bargaining, contract administration and staff management and development. As part of the executive team, Kolen will work alongside the executive director and assistant executive directors in the Eastern and Western regions to build a more equitable and effective union.
"I'm deeply honored for this opportunity and to build upon the work Equity is doing in the Central Region and across the country," said David Kolen, assistant executive director for the Central Region for Actors' Equity Association. "I believe fundamentally in the intersection of labor and the arts, and I know that the success of the American theatre in the face of unprecedented challenges is predicated on the prosperity of arts workers nationwide.
"I've witnessed firsthand the incredible advocacy and artistry of our members in the Central Region and across the country over my fifteen years at Equity – from New Orleans to Minneapolis, Oklahoma City to Cincinnati and everywhere in between. I am excited to continue to grow opportunities for Equity members, build stronger ties to our union siblings and leverage every opportunity to improve our members' workplaces in meaningful ways."
Kolen first joined Equity in 2011 as a contract associate, then served as a business representative and most recently, has been a senior business representative since 2019. Prior to Equity, he worked professionally in scenic construction and lighting design. He received his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from The Theatre School at DePaul University.
This change comes as the prior Central AED, Andrea F. Hoeschen, takes the helm of Equity's new legal department as full-time general counsel.
ACTORS' EQUITY ASSOCIATION, founded in 1913, is the U.S. labor union that represents more than 51,000 professional actors and stage managers. Equity endeavors to advance the careers of its members by negotiating wages, improving working conditions and providing a wide range of benefits (health and pension included). Member: AFL-CIO, FIA. www.actorsequity.org #EquityWorks
August 14, 2026
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