Actors' Equity Announces 1/27 Town Hall Meeting to Discuss Touring Productions

Actors Equity has just announced a town hall meeting for members to discuss salaries for touring productions. It was recently announced that the upcoming tours for Kinky Boots and Newsies willl offer its actors tiered contracts- with weekly salaries around $1,000, instead of the usual $1,800. The issue sparked much discussion on Twitter and Facebook, and many gathered for an Equity meeting the was held earlier today.

Equity representative Maria Somma told the New York Times: "In the latest contract we got raises in salaries and per diems and we strengthened a number of other things for actors on tour," Ms. Somma said. "Wages can be a concern for some, but we have heard from members from around the country who are out on tour, and they're satisfied with the salaries and they're ecstatic to be working in a role that they really wanted to do. The challenge for any union, I think, is to satisfy the greatest number of people. If there is dissatisfaction, the union wants to know why, and wants to share the facts so everyone is very well-informed."

Read the full letter from President Nick Wyman and Executive Director Mary McColl below:

Dear Members,

We invite you to attend a special town hall meeting for AEA members on Monday, January 27 at 1PM-EST at the:

HILTON HOTEL MIDTOWN (1335 6th Avenue at West 53rd Street- Conference Room Concourse A located on the main floor). Map to new venue:http://www3.hilton.com/en/hotels/new-york/new-york-hilton-midtown-NYCNHHH/maps-directions/index.html

Your AEA ID will be required for entry and sign-in.

This meeting will be devoted to the subject of touring. We welcome a productive discussion with you and the elected officers, Council and AEA leadership.

To attend the town hall, you must be a *current and paid-up member. Please RSVP no later than Thursday, January 23rd to this updated email address:rsvpfortownhallmeeting@actorsequity.org.

Please note: we welcome all members to attend the January 10th - 2PM Eastern Regional Membership meeting. However, as there is a limited amount of time allotted for the member free-form discussion in accordance with the union's by-laws and a Council resolution from April 27, 1976, touring will be covered at the town hall forum. The meeting agendas for all three regional membership meetings can be accessedhere.

We look forward to seeing you at the membership meetings and the town hall. Please spread the word.

Thank you.

In solidarity,

Nick Wyman Mary McColl
President Executive Director

*In accordance with the Equity constitution and by-laws, membership meetings are held solely for members in good standing. EMC status means you have not yet been formally elected into membership and are therefore, unable to attend meetings.