Tuesday, December 31, 2024
Live Performance’s New Union Wave Goes Way Beyond Broadway
jacobin.com: From planetarium lecturers to performers at strip clubs and escape rooms, Actors’ Equity is organizing live entertainment workers far beyond traditional musicals. The union’s strategy could be crucial as unions brace for a potential anti-labor administration.
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As the lines continue to blur in immersive live performance, planetarium lecturers, strip club performers, Disneyland cast members, and more have reached out to Actor's Equity seeking representation. While some of the concerns of these performers may seem outside of the norm for theatrical performance, like diving, who’s to say these elements won’t come to broadway shows in the future. This push by Actor’s Equity has allowed the union to return to pre-pandemic membership levels and strengthen the union before entering a likely anti-union Trump administration. Actors Equity is getting to the position where they might be able to take on all sorts of live performers, apart from dancers and musicians who have their own unions. Another union win was the first union contract for Drunk Shakespeare. A unique show in that it requires certain actors to be drunk during performances. This contract secured transportation to and from the theater on nights where actors need to be drinking. Hopefully this movement will allow performers to secure contracts that give them safer working environments and better pay.
The expansion of Actors’ Equity to be able to represent any live entertainer is fantastic; the more we work together, the stronger we are. The part of this article that discussed the unique safety issues of the show Drunk Shakespeare was especially fascinating. It makes complete sense, someone intentionally getting drunk as part of the show and audience members having alcohol would create safety issues that aren’t usually a part of shows and would be new to Actors’ Equity. I was glad to hear that the new contract includes transportation to and from the theatre on the day they drink in the show. That is a huge safety issue and I am so glad they have that now. From drinking in a show to lecturing in dark planetariums, the work of Actors’ Equity to increase safety for all live performers is to be commended. As they face barriers, I’m glad to know that they will continue to “‘fight like hell’” to organize live performers.
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