Union Encourages Protesting the New York Times' Decision to Eliminate Designers Credits
By: Sally Henry Oct. 17, 2015
United Scenic Artists Local USA 829 is trying to stir its members and constituents to let the New York Times know their latest practices in crediting theatre are not acceptable.
The theatre designers' union recently posted on their official website, informing members that the New York Times has lately left out the names of shows' designers when listing credits for theatre productions. Names currently listed include the director, writers, and the whole cast.
"Many of our colleagues are up in arms about the decision by the New York Times to stop listing designer credits in both the web and print edition of their theatrical reviews," writes the Local USA 829. "The Union has sent a letter to the editors of the New York Times and we encourage all of our members to do the same. Please write to the NY Times NOW and express your outrage."
Local USA 829 suggests concerned individuals send emails and letters to the following New York Times contacts:
Danielle Mattoon, Culture Editor, TheArts@nytimes.com
Scott Heller, Theatre Editor and Deputy Editor for Arts & Leisure,TheArts@nytimes.comThe New York Times, 620 Eighth Avenue, New York, NY 10018
The union has even written a sample letter for those who desire to let the publication know they are displeased:
I am writing at this time to protest your decision to eliminate the listing of credits from the reviews of theatrical productions.
That small box at the end of each review is extremely important to many of us; theatre-goers and professionals alike. Not only did the credit box provide basic information about the location and dates for the production, it also provided your readers with basic information of who worked to create the show: the author, cast, designers, director and other key creative personnel. The vast majority of people who contribute to any production work behind the scenes and by eliminating their credits you have taken away the minimal recognition that these important workers receive.
In other areas the NY Times seems to adhere to the philosophy "give credit where credit is due" but abandon it here. The contributors to an article or editorial in the NY Times are always listed; a photograph on your website always credits the photographer or source; why then is it acceptable to ignore the contributors to a live theatrical production? This is especially dismissive in a city such as NYC where the performing arts are such a vital part of the economy and our daily life.
Broadway alone contributes nearly $12 billion to the economy of NYC in addition to the ticket sales, and 87,000 local jobs. It is considered one of NYC's greatest tourist destinations with 6.7 million tickets bought by tourists during the 2014-15 season alone. The artists who create the product that drives this economic engine deserve recognition.
I urge you to reconsider your decision and restore the credit box at the end of each review.
Keep following BroadwayWorld as we update on this developing story! This wouldn't be the first time the Broadway community has risen up to demand and get change. Last year, there was the #Dim4Joan movement in which a Twitter trend convinced the Broadway League to reverse their decision to not dim the Broadway lights for Joan Rivers' death, and the recent incident when an uproar in the Broadway community over an AT&T ad promoting poor theatre etiquette made AT&T remove the ad. Who knows? Maybe enough letters will change the New York Times' mind.
United Scenic Artists, Local USA 829, is a labor union and professional association of Designers, Artists and Craftspeople, many who are world famous, organized to protect craft standards, working conditions and wages for the entertainment and decorative arts industries. The members of Local USA 829 are Artists and Designers working in film, theatre, opera, ballet, television, industrial shows, commercials and exhibitions. The current active membership totals just over 4,300.
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