Actors’ Equity Association Negotiates New Nationwide Contract For Actors and Stage Managers at League of Resident Theaters

Following months of negotiation, Actors’ Equity Association has reached a favorable deal for its members who work on not-for-profit productions with the League of Resident Theaters.

LORT is the largest professional theater association of its kind in the U.S. With 72 theaters in 29 states and D.C., the company represents a nationwide employer of many Actors’ Equity performers and stage managers. The 5-year contract includes significant gains, providing salary increases between 16% to 81% over the life of the contract, increased increments for dance captains and fight captains, and retroactive raises once ratified. The contract also includes preventive physical therapy for performers working on shows with significant choreography for longer than eight weeks, and adds $1.7 million in employer contributions to the Equity Health Fund.

“This was an incredibly difficult negotiation for Equity, but in the end, we have a contract that will deliver immediate wage increases to Equity Members and create more work opportunities for Equity principal actors, members of the chorus, and stage managers over the contract,” said Mary McColl, executive director of Actors’ Equity Association. Actors’ Equity members who have worked on LORT productions over the past four years are currently voting to ratify the contract, which was recommended for approval by Actors’ Equity’s Negotiating Committee and National Council.