Equity and League to Resume Talks on July 6

Talks between Actors' Equity and the League of American Theatres and Producers indeed resume but not until July 6. Shows will go on, with actors and stage managers working without a contract, until further notice.

As previously detailed, negotiations between the two organizations over the new terms of the Production Contract broke down on June 27 at 10:45pm; the contract expired at midnight.

The main sticking points between Equity and The League center on the proliferation of non-Equity tours and healthcare coverage for actors. Non-union productions were being discussed when negotiations broke down.

Equity Council, the governing body of Actors' Equity Association, met yesterday to determine the union's next step. The group had two options: resume talks or call a strike which had been previously authorized by membership. No decision was announced yesterday and a large Equity membership meeting was called for tomorrow, leading many to believe that a strike would be announced; however, it is now clear the Council decided that negotiations were the way to go.

The decision to resume talks next week means that theater lovers can expect Broadway and the road to be lit over the long holiday weekend.