BACKSTAGE: WHAT'S NEXT FOR STREAMED THEATER?

Actors’ Equity Association and SAG-AFTRA have reached an agreement over which union can cover the contracts for recorded or streamed theater. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, many theater producers can only present their show via recorded media or streaming, so this new agreement allows Equity to oversee those productions until Dec. 31, 2021.

“The collaborative mediation process allowed both unions to come to the table and reach a solution that serves the best interests of all members,” said Kate Shindle, president of Equity. “The agreement reaffirms the historic solidarity and deep bonds between Equity and SAG-AFTRA and our members.”

This new agreement, which was hammered out using mediation, states that until Dec. 31, 2021, Equity will oversee all contracts with theater producers of “live readings, staged readings, live theater, and other performances in the general nature of theater” that is recorded, and presented for a virtual audience, or both a virtual audience and a live one. 

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