Broadway actors are poised to strike, potentially halting 32 productions on New York’s iconic theatre strip, as the critical peak season approaches. The Actors’ Equity union, representing 900 performers and stage managers, has been unable to reach a new contract agreement with the Broadway League, which represents theatre owners and producers, following the expiration of their previous three-year contract on September 28, reports BritPanorama.
The crux of the negotiations centres around healthcare contributions, with the union demanding increased financial support for its health care fund, which is projected to face a deficit by next May. Al Vincent Jr., executive director of Actors’ Equity, highlighted that the current contribution rates have remained static for over a decade, despite regional theatres often providing higher payments.
“Asking our employers to care for our bodies, and to pay their fair share towards our health insurance is not only reasonable and necessary, it’s an investment they should want to make toward the long-term success of their businesses,” stated Brooke Shields, president of Actors’ Equity. Shields emphasized the interconnectedness of actor health and workplace safety, referencing her own experience of performing through an injury. “There are no Broadway shows without healthy Broadway actors and stage managers. And there are no healthy actors and stage managers without safe workplaces and stable health insurance,” she added.
The Broadway League affirmed its commitment to achieving a fair agreement, stating, “We all want to sustain the magic of Broadway for our audience. We are continuing good-faith negotiations with Actors Equity to reach a fair agreement that works for Broadway shows, casts, crews and the millions of people from around the world who come to experience Broadway.”
This strike threat comes amid broader labor unrest within the entertainment industry, with recent strikes by Hollywood actors and writers advocating for improved compensation in the evolving landscape of streaming services.
Meanwhile, the bargaining committee of Actors’ Equity has been authorized to proceed with a strike if necessary. Recently, the union has been distributing “strike pledge cards” to performers and stage managers, seeking their commitment to a potential walkout.
Kaylin Seckel, a cast member of The Lion King, recounted her own struggles following a ruptured Achilles tendon injury in 2022, which necessitated off-stage assistance and extensive medical care. Although she received some coverage through workers’ compensation, she relied on union health care for additional therapies. “So for performers and stage managers in this industry, where your jobs are dangerous, … without really good health insurance, it’s difficult for us to do our jobs,” Seckel shared.
With the stakes high and negotiations ongoing, the situation remains fluid as the Broadway community prepares for the possibility of significant disruption.
