Grove Theatre and Equity Reach Accord
The Grove Theatre Company has entered its first formal agreement with the Actors Equity Assn., artistic director Thomas Bradac said Monday. The contract, expected to be approved today at the union’s New York headquarters, would allow the company in Garden Grove to hire Equity actors on a seasonal basis, rather than show to show, as it has been doing.
“It’s the first step on the road to full professional status,” said Bradac, who founded the nonprofit company 10 years ago.
In the short term, the agreement means that Bradac will hire five Equity actors and one stage manager for the Grove’s annual Shakespeare festival, beginning in June with “Richard II.”
Over the long term, it means that the Grove is committed to expanding into a year-round professional troupe operating under a League of Resident Theaters contract.
The agreement will allow Equity actors to work at the Grove for $325-a-week minimum, lower than the LORT wage scale.
The Grove already hires union actors under a “guest artist” contract.
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