AREA MEETING REMINDER! The Northwest Area will hold its annual membership meeting virtually on Tuesday, November 15, at 6:00 p.m. PT. Today, members of the Area will be sent a REMINDER email around 10:00 a.m. PT with more information and a link to register. Those who registered prior to receiving the reminder, do not need to do so again. ... Read More -->

Happy World Ballet Day to all who celebrate and participate in the annual event! AGMA wishes to extend gratitude to all the incredible dancers and staging staff working in ballet that make our union great and strong! Thank you all for sharing your gifts with the world. The AGMA Companies participating in the ninth annual World Ballet Day include Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, American Ballet Theatre, Ballet Idaho, Ballet West, Boston Ballet, Houston Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, Kansas City Ballet, Oregon Ballet Theatre, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Philadelphia Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, Sarasota Ballet, and The Washington Ballet. ... Read More -->

AREA MEETING REMINDER! The New York Area will hold its annual membership meeting virtually on Sunday, November 13, at 4:00 p.m. ET. Today, members of the Area will be sent a REMINDER email around 12:00 p.m. ET with more information and a link to register. Those who registered prior to receiving the reminder, do not need to do so again. ... Read More -->

On July 28, OPERA America published an article entitled "Opera's Hiring Crisis" that was met with criticism from workers in opera, particularly staging staff. Since the article is behind a paywall, it is not linked here. Today, a group of Stage Managers share their perspective on Opera's Hiring Crisis. Stage Managers Shed Light on Opera’s Hiring Crisis Written by Stage Managers Brian August, Lynn Krynicki, Ray Menard, Trevor Regars, and Leslie Sears  OPERA America published an article on July 28 regarding the “hiring crisis” in the opera industry. While opera is indeed experiencing a hiring crisis, context and relevant perspectives are unfortunately missing from the original piec... Read More -->

Southern Central Members: SAVE THE DATE! The Southern Central Area will hold its annual membership meeting virtually – over Zoom – on Monday, November 28, at 6:30 p.m. CT. Members of the Area were sent an email today around 1:00 p.m. CT with more information and a link to register! Area meetings are an opportunity for AGMA members to come together with their fellow local members to meet, connect, and discuss common issues. Sam Wheeler, AGMA’s National Executive Director, will be there. He will provide an update on the state of the Union and wants to hear directly from Area members too. ... Read More -->

New England Area Members: SAVE THE DATE! The New England Area will hold its annual membership meeting virtually – over Zoom – on Monday, November 28, at 6:00 p.m. ET. Members of the Area were sent an email today around 1:00 p.m. ET with more information and a link to register! Area meetings are an opportunity for AGMA members to come together with their fellow local members to meet, connect, and discuss common issues. Sam Wheeler, AGMA’s National Executive Director, will be there. He will provide an update on the state of the Union and wants to hear directly from Area members too. ... Read More -->

AREA MEETING REMINDER! The Mid & South Atlantic Area will hold its annual membership meeting virtually on Sunday, November 6, at 8:00 p.m. ET. Today, members of the Area were sent a REMINDER email with more information and a link to register. Those who registered prior to receiving the reminder, do not need to do so again. ... Read More -->

A 1-year extension between AGMA and the New York Philharmonic was approved by AGMA leadership, after being ratified by the shop. Thank you to the negotiating committee and congratulations! HIGHLIGHTS: 5% increase to contractual minimums for the 2022-2023 contract year Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) language, including the right to union representation for Artists making complaints pursuant to the Philharmonic’s non-discrimination and anti-harassment policies, and opportunities for participation in the Philharmonic’s ongoing DEI efforts to better support Artists of color at the PhilharmonicRevisions to the “ARTIST CLOTHING” provision to provide for gender-neutral standard concert attireA commitment to negotiate CO... Read More -->

REMINDER! The AGMA Staging Staff Caucus is hosting a Health Insurance Seminar on Monday, November 14 at 9:00 p.m. ET. National Director of Health Services for the Entertainment Community Fund Renata Marinaro, LMSW, will present and answer questions. Marinaro has dedicated her career to counseling professionals in the entertainment and performing arts industry nationwide on healthcare coverage options. In March 2017 she helped launch the Samuel J Friedman Health Center for the Performing Arts, in partnership with Mt. Sinai Doctors. Renata’s goal is to create educated and active healthcare consumers. Renata is also a licensed social worker and has worked in healthcare settings in the New York metro area. All AGMA Staging St... Read More -->

The new bargaining agreement between AGMA and Boston Ballet was approved by AGMA leadership, after being overwhelmingly ratified by the shop. Thank you to the negotiating committee and congratulations on this 3-year agreement! HIGHLIGHTS: Return to 40 guaranteed workweeks and restoration of pre-COVID benefits package20% increase to New Dancer rate COLA of 9.25% Y1, 5% Y2, 3% Y3Guarantee of re-engagement after change of artistic directorIncrease in guaranteed layoff after NutcrackerCompensation for participation on DEI committeesFlat fee of $350 for participation in BB's annual ball (previously uncompensated)Reverse Weingarten (Right to union representation when raising concerns about discrimination and harassment)Increase in ... Read More -->