Small L.A. Theater Groups Blast Minimum-Wage Plan for Actors

Representatives of small Los Angeles-area theaters turned out in droves for a Hollywood meeting Saturday to oppose a proposed $9-an-hour minimum wage for actors, arguing that the requirement would put many nonprofit stages out of business, the Los Angeles Times reports. The national Actors’ Equity union is weighing the wage floor for its members who rehearse and perform in productions at small Los Angeles venues.

Local actors at small stages typically get $7 to $15 per performance and are not compensated for rehearsals. Oscar-winning actor Tim Robbins, founder and artistic director of theater troupe the Actors’ Gang, was among dozens of speakers who said having to pay the minimum wage would kill many stage groups and force others to limit their repertoire to proven box-office favorites, reducing variety and diversity on the theater scene.