Plaintiffs in Actors' Equity Battle Vow to Continue Fight for 99-Seat Theaters

In response to a court decision on Thursday, Dec. 8 dismissing their lawsuit against Actors' Equity Association, the Plaintiffs announced that they will continue to fight for the survival of the 99-seat theater system.

Gary Grossman, an actor, producer and one of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit, stated that, "We are very disappointed in yesterday's decision by judge Terry Hatter to dismiss our lawsuit against Actors' Equity Association without allowing us an opportunity to plead our case in court. The lawsuit was brought to challenge the Union's new rule preventing its members from volunteering in creative theatrical projects at small 99-seat theaters. Our goals have not changed. While the Union may hope that the judge's decision will spell the end of Los Angeles' unique intimate theater experiment and force the closing of a majority of the city's non-profit 99-seat theaters, we intend to continue our fight to preserve this important and valuable part of our City's cultural life."

The Plaintiffs announced that they are studying the Court's decision and considering their options, including possible appeal to the federal appeals court.