Actors' Equity Launches 'Ask if it's Equity' Campaign in Chicago

The Chicago Tribune reported today that Actors' Equity will launch a new advertizing and social media campaign in Chicago that will "'educate' audiences about the difference between Equity and non-Equity touring productions of Broadway musicals."

The issue stems from non-union tours marketing themselves as parts of "Broadway seasons" or national tours of current Broadway shows when they do not actually feature Broadway actors. Because Equity actors are usually barred from performing in non-Equity shows, non-union tours cannnot feature actors who have ever appeared on broadway. Producers of non-Equity shows argue that this allows them to offer high quality shows at a more affordable price.

Mary McColl, executive director of Actors' Equity said Thursday that the new campaign will feature the tagline "Ask if it's Equity," and inform theatre goers how to determine the type of show for which they are buying tickets.

McColl noted that the campaign is also "intended to thank local presenters for booking union shows," as most of the tours that play Chicago are Equity. The campaign will eventually spread nationwide, and be "a significant departure from the past Equity practice of setting up picket lines outside non-union productions." Because Equity has little influence over presenters, who deal directly with producers, they hope a direct appeal to audiences will be more effective.

You can read the original Chicago Tribune article here.