The astronomical tour guides whose job it is to point out the Big Dipper and explain the big bang to visitors of Griffith Observatory have petitioned to join a union better known for representing stars of the theatrical variety.
The dozen observatory lecturers at the Los Angeles institution have unanimously signed union authorization cards with the Actors’ Equity Assn. A petition was presented to the city’s Employee Relations Board during a meeting Monday morning, kicking off a formal feedback period before the board makes a decision in a few months.
On Thursdays through Sundays, the planetarium lecturers entertain legions of schoolkids and families, narrating and contextualizing the movements of the celestial bodies projected above them. A majority of the lecturers are already Actors’ Equity members through their other acting and performing engagements.
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