AGMA and Oregon Ballet Theatre have reached a new three-year agreement delivering significant wage increases, stronger safety and wellness protections, improved rehearsal and performance conditions, and meaningful gains for both Dancers and Staging Staff. This agreement was approved by AGMA members and ratified by AGMA’s Board of Governors on July 13, 2026.
Thank you to the negotiating committee and congratulations to the dancers and staging staff!
CONTRACT HIGHLIGHTS
Economics
Wages:
- Year 1
- Corps through Principal and Staging Staff: 6.5%
- Apprentices: 12%
- Year 2
- Soloist through Principal and Staging Staff: 4.5%
- Apprentices and Corps: 5%
- Year 3
- Soloist through Principal and Staging Staff: 4%
- Apprentices and Corps: 4.5%
More:
- New guaranteed Delegate Pay
- New performance makeup reimbursement
- New annual gym membership reimbursement
- Updated parking and transportation reimbursement
- Beginning in Year 2, additional compensation required for extended consecutive performance runs
Staging Staff Gains
- Titles updated to better reflect responsibilities
- Guaranteed employment increased from 24 to 28 weeks for Stage Manager
- Clarified language governing the span of the workday
- Clarified evaluation process specifically for Staging Staff
Health, Safety, and Wellness
- Intimacy Coordinator may not also serve as the primary rehearsal director
- Artists receive priority access to physical therapy, with lunch hours reserved exclusively for Artists
- Commitment to make two physical therapists available outside rehearsal hours whenever possible
- Earlier reengagement and non-reengagement notifications
Rehearsal and Performance Improvements
- Break protections following a dress rehearsal run
- At least one orchestra dress rehearsal guaranteed for productions with live music, with best efforts toward two
- Best efforts to provide at least two dress rehearsals for technically complex productions
- Company class held onstage during theater weeks whenever possible
Costumes and Artist Support
- Artists may wear tights and shoes that match their skin tone
- No Artist may be required to wear face or body paint that alters their race or ethnicity
- Guaranteed time to practice quick changes before final dress rehearsal
- Hair and makeup schedules provided before moving into the theater, with an opportunity to discuss adjustments