Theater Owners Poised to Reject 99-Seat Plan

More controversy seems likely in the ongoing debate between the union representing stage actors and the operators of Los Angeles theaters of 99 seats or fewer. The theater operators appear poised to reject the union’s latest compromise offer.

Actors’ Equity Assn. on Wednesday announced that its council in New York had “unanimously approved 33 amendments” to its Actors’ 99-Seat Theatre Plan and had changed the name to the Los Angeles 99-Seat Theatre Plan. But even though Equity stated that “the changes came about after extensive discussions between Equity and ATLAS, an organization of 99-seat (theater) producers,” ATLAS members had not yet had a chance to see the new plan or vote on it.

“The way Equity has released this plan suggests that it has the imprimatur of ATLAS,” said ATLAS representative Laura Zucker. “It does not. The ATLAS board unanimously recommended rejecting the plan at a meeting Tuesday.”

Edward Weston, Equity’s Western Regional Director, said ATLAS “knew the plan was going to council and had been told it had been unanimously approved.”

“While Equity has made many changes in the plan, most of them deal with the day-to-day running of the plan and are cosmetic,” Zucker said. “There’s been a steadfast refusal to deal with issues we consider most important.”

Among them Zucker listed the ability to produce large-cast shows, provisions for small budgeted shows to exist and allowing shows to run without limitations until an appropriate contract has been negotiated for them to move up to.

“No objective criteria have been set as to who may use the plan,” she added, “and no procedures have been established for amendments to the plan in the future that would adequately include the theater community.”

When asked if Equity would be open to more discussions with ATLAS in the event the plan was rejected by ATLAS members, Weston said: “Let’s cross that bridge when we come to it. I prefer to be optimistic. We’ll always be open to discussions from time to time.” However, asked if the plan council had approved was considered a final version, Weston said, “Oh, yes. Certainly.”

“By unilaterally releasing the plan they are effectively breaking off discussions,” Zucker said. “It’s apparently their final offer.”

Zucker said the plan would be discussed among the ATLAS membership at a meeting Saturday.