Chicago– Actors' Equity Association, the national labor union representing more than 51,000 professional actors and stage managers in live theatre, has issued a statement from National Director of Communications and Public Policy Brandon Lorenz in response to two theatres from the Kansas City area announcing they would delay their reopening:  

From Brandon Lorenz, "Neither Unicorn Theatre nor Heart of America have approached Equity about reopening in 2021. That is unfortunate, as Equity has successfully worked with scores of theatres across the country in the last few months who have been able to mount over 100 in-person productions, in many cases with an audience. Unicorn Theatre has, however, used several agreements with Equity over the pandemic to exhibit archival work online, in successful collaboration with the union to the benefit of actors and stage managers." 

"Numerous producers who have collaborated with Equity this spring will be making live theatre available for patrons this summer across the country. It is unfortunate -- and a disservice to the Kansas City theatre community - that Heart of America and Unicorn have chosen a different path."

ACTORS' EQUITY ASSOCIATION, founded in 1913, is the U.S. labor union that represents more than 51,000 professional actors and stage managers. Equity endeavors to advance the careers of its members by negotiating wages, improving working conditions and providing a wide range of benefits (health and pension included). Member: AFL-CIO, FIA. www.actorsequity.org #EquityWorks

April 19, 2021

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