Wednesday, September 29, 2021
Dramatists Guild creates inclusion rider for theater
Broadway News: The Dramatists Guild of America has created an inclusion rider for its writers to negotiate for greater diversity in theatrical productions.
The rider is an optional tool for members of the trade association to use when entering into contract agreements with theaters or producers.
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I think that the Dramatists Guild is stepping in the right direction with this change. It is disappointing that something like a 'diversity rider' has to be a thing in 2021 but here we are. I also agree with the statements in the article that this is a great way to put principles into practice. Before reaching that part I was worried about the fact that since it's optional many writers may feel apprehensive to bring this to a contract negotiation fearing backlash from the theatre company. I also appreciate that the rider seems to be a bit flexible in how it can be implemented in the process. As with all of the articles I see about new policies being created, I'm interested to see in 6 months if anything changes as far as the amount of theatres that are producing all white shows. It would also be interesting to see a document breaking down how many writers actually used this rider in their contract negotiations.
This rider sounds like it is awesome but the article makes it sound barely enforceable. It allows people, while in contract negotiations to ask, “producers to audition or interview members of marginalized groups whenever possible for roles in the cast and crew, on the creative team members and as artistic personnel.” This is a very good thing to see but the wording from the article makes it seem like producers can interview or look for these people but are not required to hire them. This may be a time when the talent, or those who are in the strongest negotiating positions, can make demands in their own contract. Similar to how Robin Williams required that any production he worked on hired a certain number of homeless people. It is good that this is now policy for the Dramatists Guild as a whole but it really does sound like bare minimum effort in writing. I wonder if this will be expanded upon in the future to make it more substantial.
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