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The American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) and the Dayton Performing Arts Alliance (DPAA), which includes Dayton Ballet, today jointly announced the first collective bargaining agreement covering Dayton Ballet dancers. The agreement was reached on September 30 and was ratified by AGMA leadership on October 7. “Announcing our first union contract is an incredible milestone for the Dayton Ballet dancers,” said the Dancers of the AGMA Negotiating Committee. “This agreement reflects the strength of standing together and our steadfast commitment to building a stronger future for ourselves and for all who come after us. We’re proud of what we’ve accomplished together.” “The dancers of Dayton Ballet bring extraordinary commitment, discipline and artistry to their work, and their wellbeing is fundamental to the strength of the company,” said Patrick Nugent, President and CEO of the Dayton Performing Arts Alliance. “This agreement reflects priorities we share: fair compensation, support for dancers’ health and wellbeing, and opportunities to build greater financial security for the future. We are grateful for the thoughtful and professional way the dancers and AGMA approached these negotiations and pleased to move forward together.” The three-year agreement between DPAA and AGMA, the national labor union of dancers and other performing artists, establishes a more consistent compensation structure for Dayton Ballet dancers while maintaining 29 weeks of work. With dancer compensation having remained largely unchanged for several years, both parties recognized the importance of appropriate increases that reflect current industry and market conditions. The agreement also reflects shared priorities for supporting dancers throughout their careers, including expanded personal and pregnancy leave, short-term disability benefits, a guaranteed 4% retirement contribution match, improved scheduling provisions and access to physical therapy, guaranteed use of appropriate dance flooring, and continuation of current employer healthcare and parking subsidies. “This agreement reflects respect for our dancers and a shared understanding that supporting our artists and sustaining DPAA for the long term go hand in hand,” said Joe Zehenny, Chair of the DPAA Board of Trustees. “Our responsibility is to care for the artists who bring this work to life today while building an organization strong enough to create opportunities for generations to come. We want the young person discovering dance in Dayton today to be able to imagine a professional future here years from now.” “The dancers should be incredibly proud of the work they put into reaching this first agreement. They approached negotiations with a clear sense of what they wanted to accomplish for themselves and their colleagues, and their continued commitment throughout the process made all the difference,” said AGMA Regional Director Eric Ferring. “We also appreciate management’s willingness to engage in challenging conversations with openness and a shared commitment to collaborative problem-solving, even when the discussions were difficult. This is a strong first contract we can all celebrate!” Dayton Ballet’s 2026-2027 Season opens October 24 with A Midsummer Night’s Dream & Force Flux. Choreographer Brandon Ragland’s Force Flux—set to Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 13 and performed live by the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra and Principal Pianist Joshua Nemith—begins the evening with bold contemporary movement before A Midsummer Night’s Dream transports audiences to a moonlit forest of romance and mischief. The beloved holiday tradition The Nutcracker returns December 11-20, taking audiences on a magical, Dayton-inspired adventure. On February 20-21, Pointes of View celebrates the creativity of local and national choreographers through a diverse repertory program. The season concludes April 17-18 with Beethoven’s Fifth & Copland’s Appalachian Spring, featuring striking choreography by Ragland and Andrea Schermoly. With live accompaniment by the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra for select productions, the season promises an exhilarating blend of music, movement, and storytelling. Tickets are available at daytonperformingarts.org. |
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About AGMA The American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) is the labor union of singers, dancers, and staging staff in opera, ballet and contemporary dance, and concert choral performance in the United States. A national union with a membership of approximately 7,000 artists, AGMA provides advocacy and defense of its members’ employment and artistic rights. AGMA negotiates and enforces more than 75 collective bargaining agreements nationwide, working to ensure fair and safe working conditions and enhance the quality of life for its members. AGMA holds a direct charter from the AFL-CIO and is affiliated with the AFL-CIO Branch of Associated Actors and Artists of America and the Department for Professional Employees (DPE) and is part of the Coalition of Broadway Unions and Guilds (COBUG). AGMA is currently celebrating its 90th anniversary. About the Dayton Performing Arts Alliance The Dayton Performing Arts Alliance (DPAA) was formed in a groundbreaking and innovative merger between Dayton Ballet, Dayton Opera, and Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra. DPAA is the largest performing arts organization in the greater Dayton region, with a mission to be the community’s indispensable source for traditional, diverse, and innovative experiences in ballet, opera, and orchestral music. In addition, DPAA offers various performance and education programs, setting a new standard for artistic excellence. DPAA performances reach an audience of more than 90,000 people annually, and its rich arts education programming serves over 67,000 school children in 150 schools in southwest Ohio. Guided by the conviction that the arts are for everyone, DPAA’s purpose is to inspire people of all ages and backgrounds to fall in love with the performing arts. |