Actors' Equity Calls for Strike Against Developmental Labs

The move follows negotiations between the union and the Broadway League amid Equity's "#NotaLabRat" campaign.

Actors’ Equity Association has called for a strike against developmental presentations as part of its appeal for profit sharing–based compensation for their members. Projects from members of the Broadway League under Lab, Workshop, and Staged Reading contracts will be placed on Equity's “Do Not Work” list following Equity and the League’s failed ongoing negotiations.

Equity announced its “#NotALabRat” campaign in November of last year, highlighting the lack of pay increase from producers under Lab Agreements in the 11 years since that developmental presentation contract was created.

Some shows, such as Broadway’s Frozen, Hamilton, and Mean Girls, offer to share profits with Equity members who helped develop the show in earlier incarnations prior to a Broadway bow, though this is not the industry standard.

“We will continue our fight to make sure that Equity members can share in the success when a show becomes a hit and recoups,” said AEA Executive Director Mary McColl in a statement.

A number of negotiation sessions have taken place, with additional proposals in the works, according to the League. “We look forward to continuing our respectful dialogue with the union and are confident that we will reach a fair agreement that will be beneficial to both sides,” a representative for the organization said in a statement.