This is a reminder that the AGMA Staging Staff Caucus will host a special presentation on fight direction and intimacy direction on Monday, February 21, at 9:00 p.m. ET. Joining the event are guest speakers Doug Scholz-Carlson, artistic director, fight choreographer, actor, and certified intimacy director, and Michelle Ladd, action director, fight choreographer, and performer of stunts, staged combat, dance, and acting. The presentation will focus on best practices for a safe rehearsal environment. ALL AGMA staging staff in good standing are encouraged to attend and should register here! Those who have already registered do not need to do so again. The Zoom details will be sent in the days leading up to the panel. Submi... Read More -->

From The Actors Fund: Career Transition For Dancers supports the education of dancers transitioning to new careers. Named for former dancer, dance advocate, and President of Career Transition For Dancers Alex Dubé, the Alex Dubé Scholarship Program supports the education of dancers to build their next professional platforms. Through the Alex Dubé Scholarship Program, eligible dancers enrolled in accredited degree programs can receive up to $10,000 to assist with tuition payment as they take the next step forward in their careers. Applications will be accepted from March 1 through April 15. For more information please visit: https://actorsfund.org/alex-dube-graduate-studies-scholarship ... Read More -->

As reported in the New York times and various other outlets, Creatives Rebuild New York has launched a $125 million program that offers guaranteed income to 2,400 artists across New York State who can demonstrate financial need. There are two options. One option would provide $1,000 a month for 18 months, no strings attached. The second option is for a $65,000-a-year job with a community-based organization or municipality. Do you Qualify? Disciplines that fall within the application parameters include crafts, dance, design, film, literary arts, media arts, music, oral tradition, social practice, theater, performance art, traditional arts, visual arts, and interdisciplinary arts. DEADLINE TO APPLY IS MARCH 25. https://www.creative... Read More -->

All AGMA SINGERS are invited and encouraged to attend a meeting on ORGANIZING hosted by the Opera & Concert Choristers Caucus on Wednesday, March 2, at 6:30 p.m. ET. Joining the OCCC as special guest speaker is Griff Braun, AGMA's National Organizing Director. In the meeting, we will focus on the opportunities and the challenges of organizing choruses, choirs, and opera companies, with a presentation from Griff and a discussion period.  Please register for this exciting presentation here. You will receive the Zoom details in the days leading up to the event. Griff Braun joined AGMA’s professional staff as a Negotiator in 2014 and was promoted to Director of Organizing and Outreach in 2019. His title changed to N... Read More -->

Since announcing their plans to unionize on February 10, social media has lit up in support of the Stage Managers of Des Moines Metro Opera. As of February 15, the original post by AGMA has been shared in solidarity over 150 times on Facebook, and over 250 times on Instagram. Here is just a small sampling: For eight summers, Des Moines Metro Opera was my artistic home, working on over 30 productions as the former Director of... Posted by Chris Brusberg on Sunday, February 13, 2022 I love and respect this company. I've been here for 12 years. Today, the stage management department announces a new... Posted by Brian August on Thursday, February 10, 2022 As an Iowan, I am proud that my home state is home to what, over the years, has... Read More -->

AGMA Dancers are invited to the next Dancers Caucus Meeting on Tuesday, March 1, at 8:00 p.m. ET. The topic for discussion will be "Moving Forward in 2022." All AGMA Dancers in good standing may register HERE for the meeting. The Zoom details will be sent in the days leading up to the meeting. Please email dancerscaucus@musicalartists.org with any questions. ... Read More -->

This interview was conducted by Alicia Cook, Director of Communications at AGMA, and was originally published in the Winter 2021 issue of AGMAzine in March 2021. “This has been a challenging time period for dancers,” Nardia Boodoo said at the beginning of her conversation with AGMAzine. “I discovered that so much of my identity is centered around my performance career. As dancers, we commit ourselves to the art form. We arrive at the studio prepared and ready to go. I draw energy and inspiration from my colleagues and the Artistic staff. So much of my life revolves around this daily grind. COVID-19 interrupted that flow. Without the energy of preparation, self-mastery, and self-discovery, I felt lost and punished.” It is ... Read More -->

The Stage Managers of Des Moines Metro Opera (DMMO) have signed cards in support of unionizing with AGMA. DMMO is one of the leading summer festival opera companies in the country. “The stage managers of Des Moines Metro Opera wish to recognize the incredible success and growth that DMMO has experienced in recent seasons by joining the American Guild of Musical Artists…It is our sincere hope that Des Moines Metro Opera will voluntarily recognize our union and help establish the kind of collaborative relationship that will draw the nation’s top stage management talent to DMMO,” said the organizing stage managers, in a written statement to the Company. “We believe that only experienced union stage managers can appropriate... Read More -->

AGMA is happy to report that the one-year contract extension for the Choristers of the Grant Park Music Festival was ratified by AGMA leadership, after being overwhelmingly approved by the shop. Let’s celebrate this new agreement! The extension removes the restrictions imposed during the pandemic and provides wage increases for Artists.  ... Read More -->

AGMA is pleased to report that Portland Opera’s new collective bargaining agreement was ratified by AGMA leadership, after being overwhelmingly approved by the shop. There have been multiple additions and improvements to the contract language, particularly when it comes to compensation, Digital Media, Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Access, and Harassment Prevention. Thank you to the negotiating committee on this 3-year agreement. COMPENSATION 2021-22: 5% increase to all compensation and fees retroactive to October 1, 2021 for Chorus and Staging Staff2022-23 and 2023-24 contract years: no less than a 3% increase to wages and fees or up to Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) with a cap of 4%Upfront payments for Principal Art... Read More -->