I’m seeing a lot of information being passed around about the SAG-AFTRA strike and have already seen this line of questioning on Twitter so I thought I’d address what this means for Broadway actors as I understand it;
Many of your favourite Broadway actors work in film, television and other fields of acting outside of Broadway and do have SAG memberships and thus ARE currently on strike
HOWEVER
Broadway actors are also apart of the Actors’ Equity Association - typically known as Actors’ Equity or just Equity - this is a SEPERATE union
Broadway actors apart of Equity are signed and working under Equity contracts for the productions they are starring in
As they are working under different union contracts, if you see Broadway actors going to their jobs, performing as usual, promoting upcoming theatrical work, etc. - They are NOT scabbing or crossing the picket line as they are not under SAG-AFTRA contracts
Broadway actors are complying with their Equity contracts and to do so would put their jobs in jeopardies
Remember, the people who comprise Broadway productions are not just famous names but are comprised of many hard working actors who do not have the status or recognition of their more notable co-stars and should NOT be shamed under the guise of false information
HOWEVER
If you see Broadway actors signing onto new screen productions, promoting upcoming screen work, and breaking any of SAG-AFTRA’s strike rules, then it is up to your discretion if you want to bring this to people’s attention
I would like to make it clear that I am NOT an expert nor a professional working on Broadway, this is all information I have gathered from discussions from people involved in the industry. I am only making this post as I have yet to see anyone else address this and have seen some people be confused about what Broadway actors are currently doing in this moment so I hope to help clear things up.
If there is any information I have misunderstood, failed to share or falsely spread, please feel free to correct me and I will update this post.
TLDR: Broadway Actors are not crossing the picket line by continuing to perform in their current theatrical roles as they are under Actor’s Equity Contracts which is a seperate union to SAG-AFTRA
