Actors’ Equity Association (AEA), a labor union representing over 51,000 professional live theater actors/stage managers, has ceased issuing contracts for work on productions in development. This massive decision is due to stalled negotiations between the AEA and the Broadway League over contracts.
In January, AEA started contract negotiations with the Broadway League. Unfortunately, the organizations could not agree and the contract expired on February 11th.
“We never wanted it to come to this,” Stephen Bogardus, Equity Negotiating Team Chair, said in a statement. “But the wage package put across the table by The Broadway League was just plain unacceptable. Our members cannot afford to work on this contract at the proposed compensation levels over the next five years.”
Who is Impacted?
This decision does not impact current Broadway productions, or shows opening later this season. It only applies to shows that are in or going into development. Which may not produce an immediate impact on audiences, but will in a season or two.
“The Broadway League and our bargaining partners have engaged in good faith negotiations with Actors’ Equity on new terms for our development work contract, including agreeing to the Union’s request to utilize the federal mediation services to help facilitate this process,” the League wrote in response to AEA. “Our Development Agreement is specific to developing new works, and these negotiations have no impact on current Broadway and Touring productions or those opening this season. We remain hopeful that ultimately we can reach a deal that works for all parties.”
2019 Strike
This is the second time since 2019, that AEA decided to stop issuing contracts. However, the 2019 decision was paired with a labor strike that lasted a little over a month. When the strike ended AEA members received pay during the development process and a share in the show’s eventual profits. Those compensation levels are now considered insufficient and a cause for the current negotiations.
AEA points out that, the past Broadway season included a lot of shows that “relied on the Development Agreement on their road to Broadway.” These shows include “Days of Wine and Roses,” “The Great Gatsby,” “Gutenberg! The Musical!,” “Harmony,” “The Heart of Rock and Roll,” “How to Dance in Ohio,” “Lempicka,” “The Notebook,” “Once Upon a One More Time,” “The Outsiders,” “Suffs,” “Water for Elephants,” and “The Wiz.” As it stands, none of those productions have been able to recoup.
“Five years ago, we ceased development work to get The Broadway League to acknowledge the work our members provide in the development of new work for the Broadway arena,” Bogardus said. “Five years later, we are forced to do it again. We look forward to the day we can return to the bargaining table and negotiate a fair wage on this agreement that meets our stage managers’ and actors’ needs. We are ready whenever The League is.”
This announcement came just a day after Brooke Shields was elected AEA president. She made her debut in the role by introducing the In Memoriam segment at the 2024 Tony Awards, which took place June 16th.
We’ll keep you posted on updates about these negotiations as they become available.
