Press Releases

Actors’ Equity Association issued the following statement announcing it has retained outside counsel to investigate the tragic death of member Jeff Loeffelholz. 

Actors’ Equity Association has announced that a new name has been chosen 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 members in a survey.

Actors' Equity Association, the national labor union for professional stage actors and stage managers, released the following statement after members of the Council of the District of Columbia approved a dedicated sales tax to fund the arts at their last legislative meeting in June. The new tax is expected to generate $30 million per year to fund local theatre and arts productions.

Mary McColl, Executive Director of Actors' Equity Association, the national labor union representing more than 51,000 professional actors and stage managers, has released the following statement after the Supreme Court issued its ruling in Janus v. AFSCME. 

Actors’ Equity Association, the union which represents more than 51,000 professional stage actors and stage managers, announced the results of the 2018 National Council election.  In total, 55 Council seats across all three regions and representing three (3) categories (principal actor, chorus actor and stage manager) were filled, effective immediately.

Actors’ Equity Association announced today that it reached an agreement with Norwegian Cruise Line to cover members on the cruise line's new ship, the Norwegian Bliss. From May 3 – May 5 while in New York, the Norwegian Bliss was under Equity Agreement, marking the first time that a full Equity cast has been used on a cruise ship. 

Actors’ Equity Association has named Lin-Manuel Miranda the recipient of the 2018 Rosetta LeNoire Award. The award, established in 1988, is given for outstanding artistic contributions to the universality of human experience in American theatre. It goes to an individual, theatre or producing organization with an exemplary record in the hiring or promotion of people of color, women and actors with disabilities through diverse and inclusive casting.

Actors’ Equity Association has announced that Equity's National Council has voted to retire the name "Gypsy Robe" -- the name for the ritual that occurs on the stage of every Broadway musical with a chorus on opening night before the audience is admitted. While the name will change, the tradition will continue next season unchanged.

Actors' Equity Association announced today 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. The inclusion of these categories would recognize all Equity performers who appear on a Broadway stage.

Actors’ Equity Association, the national labor union representing more than 51,000 actors and stage managers, is pleased to announce that Equity's National Council has approved the formation of a new committee, chaired by Equity President Kate Shindle and dedicated to preventing sexual harassment and workplace hostility in the theatre.