Actors’ Equity Association Names Wydetta Carter as Union’s New First Vice President

New York -- The council of Actors’ Equity Association, the national labor union representing more than 51,000 professional actors and stage managers in live theatre, has selected Wydetta Carter to serve as the union’s first vice president, the seat designated for principal actors. 

A resident of Chicago and Equity member for over thirty years, Carter was first elected to council representing the Central Region in 2017. She also chairs the Chicago Area Theatre Agreement Committee and serves as first vice chair for the national League of Resident Theatres, National Midsize, National House Affairs Committee and Equity Principal Auditions committees, as well as the Central Regional Board. 

Carter takes the position of first vice president following the resignation of former First Vice President Melissa Robinette, and will serve the remainder of Robinette’s four-year term, through 2022. Based on available records, she is the first Black officer to serve the union in over 40 years, since Miriam Burton served as secretary/treasurer, ending 1977. 

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  

April 21, 2021

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