Broadway Cleaners Vote to Authorize Strike + Studio 54 Breaks Records
Industry News - July 6, 2026
This week's industry news is anchored by labor unrest on Broadway, where more than 250 union cleaners voted to authorize a strike affecting 30 theaters. Meanwhile, box office records fell at Studio 54, Lincoln Center welcomed a new Off-Broadway venue, and Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS handed out a record $3 million in grants. Regional and international news brought leadership changes at Arena Stage, Lyric Arts, Guild Festival Theatre and King's Head Theatre, alongside award wins in Toronto and a historic theater renaming in the West End.
The Social Report
It was a quiet Pride weekend on Broadway, where we said goodbye to Giant and Death Becomes Her - with everyone focused on the festivities. On Facebook Hamilton made a splash with a post from the Angelia Tour, while on Instagram Chicago had a viral hit with video of Matteo Lane and Krysta Rodriguez performing 'We Both Reached For The Gun.'
Industry Trends
We're Hiring! BroadwayWorld Is Seeking Full-Time Video Content Lead
If you're a New York City-based theater lover with experience in video production, BroadwayWorld wants you on our team. We're on the hunt for Broadway-savvy videographers/video content creators to help us cover a wide variety of theatrical events in New York City, including Broadway openings, concerts, press previews, red carpets, and more. Plus, you'll get a chance to have your work featured on the world's leading website for all things Broadway. (Read more)
Broadway Cares Awards Record $3 Million in Direct Services Grants to 265 Organizations Nationwide
Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS awarded a record $3,007,500 in June to 265 organizations providing life-affirming health care, housing, emergency assistance and other critical support to people facing illness and hardship across the country. (Read more)
Broadway/New York
Photos: André De Shields Rings New York Stock Exchange Closing Bell
The “Ring the Bell for LGBTQI+ Equality” Initiative and Emmy, Tony, and Grammy-Award winning actor André De Shields rang the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) closing bell on Monday, June 29 in celebration of Pride Month. See photos! (Read more)
The Entertainment Community Fund Reveals New Board of Trustees Appointments and Leadership Additions
The Entertainment Community Fund, formerly The Actors Fund, has revealed four new Board members, including one returning member, as well as new appointments to its Western Council and the Actors Fund Home Board of Trustees. (Read more)
Broadway Cleaners Union Votes to Authorize a Strike; Negotiations for New Contract Underway
On Tuesday, June 30, 2026, more than 250 cleaners voted to authorize a strike that would impact 30 theaters showing Tony award-winning productions like “Schmigadoon,” “Cats: The Jellicle Ball,” “Wicked,” and “The Lion King.” This marks the first time Broadway cleaners have authorized a strike in nearly two decades. (Read more)
THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW Breaks House Record at Studio 54
For the week ending Sunday, June 28, 2026, Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show broke the house record at Studio 54 – with a box office take of $1,215,225 – and became the highest grossing production to play at the theatre. (Read more)
Producer Rose Caiola to Open New 199-Seat Off-Broadway Theater at Lincoln Center
Eight-time Tony Award-winning producer Rose Caiola has opened MMAC Theater, a 199-seat Off-Broadway venue in Lincoln Center offering full production support, rehearsal studios, and technical staff. (Read more)
Regional
Lyric Arts Names Marci Lucht as Associate Artistic Director in Newly Created Role
Lyric Arts appointed Marci Lucht as Associate Artistic Director, a newly created role at the Anoka, Minn. theater. Lucht, previously Director of Education, will oversee productions, artistic planning, and community engagement. (Read more)
Arena Stage Announces Resignation of Artistic Director Hana S. Sharif
Hana Sharif submitted her resignation to Arena Stage, mere hours before the opening performance of CRAZYSEXYCOOL: THE TLC MUSICAL, reports The New York Times. (Read more)
Actors' Equity Applauds Gov. Gavin Newsom for Restoring California Arts Funding
Actors’ Equity Association has released a statement regarding the news that the budget agreement released late Friday included $12 million in funding for the Performing Arts Equitable Payroll Fund. (Read more)
Paper Mill Playhouse Adds Six New Members to Board of Trustees
Paper Mill Playhouse announced the election of six civic leaders and professionals to its Board of Trustees, expanding the board to 34 members as the theater wraps up its Next Act Campaign. (Read more)
International
2026 Dora Mavor Moore Awards Winners Announced; See the Full List
TAPA announced the recipients of the 46th Annual Dora Mavor Moore Awards at a ceremony at Meridian Hall in Toronto, with multiple wins going to THROUGH THE EYES OF GOD, THE DIVISION, and NARNIA, among others. (Read more)
Shakespeare North Playhouse and Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse CEOs Elected to UK Theatre Board
Lisa Allen of Shakespeare North Playhouse and Mark Da Vanzo of Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse have been elected to the UK Theatre Board, joining re-elected members from Hall for Cornwall and Ambassador Theatre Group. (Read more)
The Duke of York’s Theatre Will Be Renamed The Tom Stoppard Theatre
The Duke of York’s Theatre will be renamed The Tom Stoppard Theatre, paying tribute in the heart of the West End to one of the most influential playwrights in British theatre. Learn more here. (Read more)
Guild Festival Theatre Names Alison Wong as Artistic Director Designate
Guild Festival Theatre announced the appointment of Alison Wong as Artistic Director Designate, with the Scarborough-raised, Hong Kong-born performance-maker set to officially take the helm in September. (Read more)
King's Head Theatre Appoints New Interim Executive Director and Producer
King's Head Theatre in Islington appointed Amber Massie-Blomfield as Interim Executive Director and CEO and James Quaife as Interim Executive Producer, both joining on a part-time basis to lead the theatre through a transitional period. (Read more)
Missed Our Last Newsletters?
BroadwayWorld Gets a Makeover — Plus a $6B Theater Deal in the Works
This week's newsletter is a big one for BroadwayWorld — we've launched a fully redesigned website and new On Demand TV apps, bringing our content to over 700 million televisions worldwide. On Broadway, Maybe Happy Ending is on track to become the longest-running show in Belasco Theatre history, while the 17th Annual Jimmy Awards crowned Jake James and Samia Posadas as its top performers at the Minskoff. (Read more)
Industry Pro Newsletter: Leadership Shakeups Across the Country + Heidi Schreck Honored
This week's newsletter is packed with leadership news, as theaters across the country — from San Francisco's Magic Theatre to Manhattan Theatre Club to the Cape Playhouse — announced new appointments and restructured their teams. We've also got honors for Heidi Schreck and Cate Blanchett, plus a reminder that the 17th Annual Jimmy Awards stream live from the Minskoff Theatre tonight! (Read more)
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