Technical Standards

In addition to the safe and sanitary provisions in Actors’ Equity agreements, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has approved standards specifically for the entertainment industry. If there is a particular production element planned for a show (e.g. dust effects, flying, fall protection, etc.) that is not defined in Actors’ Equity agreements, the ANSI standards shall be in effect. Please keep in mind that the ANSI standards have more comprehensive regulations in the entertainment industry than any other standards.

Actors’ Equity collaborates with entertainment professionals at the Entertainment Services and Technology Association (ESTA) and their Technical Standards Program (TSP) to create and promote standards for the entertainment industry. Actors’ Equity is a member of ESTA as well as a TSP Investor. ANSI standards for the entertainment industry can be found on ESTA's published documents page. All of the standards are free of charge to download at their website. 

Some of the current standards available from ESTA include:

ANSI E1.23 - Entertainment Technology – Design and Execution of Theatrical Fog Effects

ANSI E1.26 – Entertainment Technology – Recommended Testing Methods and Values for Shock Absorption of Floors Used in Live Performance Venues

ANSI E1.34 – Entertainment Technology – Measuring and Specifying the Slipperiness of Floors Used in Live Performance Venues

ANSI E1.40 – Recommendations for the Planning of Theatrical Dust Effects

ANSI E1.43 – Entertainment Technology – Performer Flying Systems

ANSI E1.46 – Standard for the Prevention of Falls from Theatrical Stages and Raised Performance Platforms

ANSI E1.53 – Overhead mounting of luminaries, lighting accessories, and other portable devices: specification and practice

ANSI E1.55 – Standard for Theatrical Makeup Mirror Lighting

Additional standards are currently being discussed and developed.