Atlantic Theater Company And IATSE Reach Tentative, Potentially Historic Agreement Covering Production Workforce In Nonprofit Off Broadway Venue

Yahoo

10-03-2025

Off Broadway's much-honored Atlantic Theater Company and the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees have reached a tentative agreement that could see the Atlantic become the first-ever not-for-profit theater company producing solely Off Broadway shows to have such a union agreement.
The tentative agreement – pending approval via ratification by the workers – covers nearly 100 production workers employed by the company. If ratified, the agreement could end a strike that began in January after months of negotiations stalled. The Atlantic's crew voted nearly unanimously to unionize with IATSE in February 2024.
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In a joint statement, the Atlantic and IATSE said the proposed agreement includes 'significant compensation increases including comprehensive benefits that both parties believe reflect the essential contributions of the production crew to Atlantic Theater Company's success.'
Full details of the agreement will be made available to the workers and organization stakeholders in the coming days, according to the statement.
'Ultimately, after extensive discussions and dialogue, the Atlantic Theater Company is poised to become the first not-for-profit theater company producing solely Off Broadway in history to have a union agreement covering production classifications,' the statement said.
When the strike was called in January, the theater at first postponed and then canceled two shows that were already in previews: Eliya Smith's Grief Camp and Mona Pirnot's I'm Assuming You Know David Greenspan.
While today's announcement of a tentative agreement did not disclose the current or future standing of the two shows, a note on the theater company's website reads, 'We can't wait to see you back at the theater soon! We will share additional information including new performance dates and ticket on-sale information shortly.'
The Atlantic was founded in 1985 by David Mamet, William H. Macy and an ensemble of their acting students from New York University and has grown into an acclaimed Off Broadway company operating two theaters: the 199-seat Linda Gross Theater and the 99-seat Stage 2. As a producer of compelling new works, we are committed to championing the stories of new and established artists alike, amplifying the voices of emerging playwrights through our deeply collaborative programs and initiatives.
Among the many acclaimed productions that began life at the Atlantic are Spring Awakening, The Band's Visit, Kimberly Akimbo and such Martin McDonagh plays as Hangmen, The Cripple of Inishmaan, The Lieutenant of Inishmore and The Beauty Queen of Leenane.
The strike came at a pivotal time for the Off Broadway community, as nonprofit theaters, which traditionally have not been unionized, struggle with both the harsh economics of the post-Covid theater industry and many crew members' increasing desire for union representation.
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