AGMA’s new two-year agreement with New Orleans Opera was approved by AGMA members and ratified by the Union’s Board of Governors on February 23, 2026.
This contract delivers meaningful wage increases, along with improvements to scheduling, overtime, and workplace protections. This contract continues AGMA’s sustained effort to raise standards and strengthen conditions for all Artists at New Orleans Opera.
CONTRACT HIGHLIGHTS
Economics
- Wage increases of +3% in Year 1 and +3% in Year 2
- More significant increases to Chorister wage scales, with elimination of tiered performance rates, marking a major step toward fair Chorister compensation
- Significant “per diem”/meal allowance increases for out-of-town Artists
Including the wage scale increases from the previous negotiations, the Choristers will see their rehearsal rates increase over 5 years by 71.1% and their performance fees increase by 47.0~83.9%.
Principal Artists
- Maximum consecutive workdays reduced from 10 to 8
- New conditions governing rehearsals on performance days when Artists are engaged in two concurrent productions with a Leading or Featured role
Production Staff
- Weekly hours before overtime reduced from 54 to 51
Choristers and Corps Dancers Scheduling
- Minimum call for chorus music rehearsals at 2.5 hours
- Minimum call for staging and dance rehearsals at 3 hours
- Artists excused from rehearsals not listed in the 30 day schedule
- Wednesday evening rehearsal limits memorialized
- Provisions around weekday and holiday rehearsals for Artists with outside work commitments
- Increased rest periods
Chorister Engagement
- 80% initial offer guaranteed to Returning Choristers
- Clear process for Chorister evaluation auditions, including a provisional period to demonstrate improvement without loss of employment consideration
- Side Letter exploring weekly Chorister engagements
- Side Letter for one-time standalone performances
General Improvements
- AGMA input when the Company engages in strategic planning
- Earlier Change of Appearance notification with added protections for changes tied to personal identity, or changes requiring six months or more to restore