New York City is now accepting applications for its new outdoor performance program, "Open Culture," but—at the same time-- Actors Equity, the union that represents theatre actors is slamming the new endeavor, claiming it fails to provide basic Covid-19 and financial-related assurances.
"It is surprising this program was brought to the public without a little bit more forethought," said Actors Equity spokesman Brandon Lorenz.
In an email Thursday, the union encouraged its members not to take work with "Open Culture" for several reasons. Among them, they say, the city is not requiring producers who apply for a city permit to pay a living wage, nor will they require producers have workers compensation insurance. They also cite a failure to mandate covid testing, and a failure to require performers to be socially distanced.
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