ACTORS' EQUITY ASSOCIATION

Actors' Equity Association: translation

(AEA)

This theatrical union was founded in 1913 by a group of 122 actors, led byFrancis Wilson, in response to poor conditions and unethical practices by producers. A prior organization, TheActors' Society of America, formed in 1895, advocated for a minimum wage and other issues, but disbanded in 1912. AEA, filling the void, negotiated unsuccessfully with producers for a standard contract until 1919, when tensions reached a peak. AEA called a strike, supported by theAssociated Actors and Artistes of America, an organization chartered by the American Federation of Labor. The month-long strike beginning in August 1919 closed theatres in eight cities, forced the closing or prevented openings of numerous productions, and finally brought an agreement with theProducing Managers' Associationfor a five-year contract. Additional agreements set up a union shop in 1924, established guidelines for actor-agent dealings in 1929, guaranteed a minimum wage for actors in 1933 and a minimum rehearsal pay in 1935. AEA remains the dominant union for professional stage actors.