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 -->

Attention AGMA Artists who live and/OR work in New York! The Workers' Compensation Board is offering a new webinar series. Each one-hour session will provide information on workers' rights when it comes to filing a workers' compensation claim. Registration is not required and you can learn more at http://www.wcb.ny.gov/webinars/ ... Read More -->

The Staging Staff Caucus invites all AGMA Staging Staff members to a special presentation on fight direction and intimacy direction on Monday, February 21, at 9:00 p.m. ET. Panelists are 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. Please submit questions in advance by emailing stagingstaffcaucus@musicalartists.org. Register for this exciting panel here. ABOUT THE PANELISTS Michelle Ladd has been working as a professional action director, fight choreographer, and performer... Read More -->

From the onset of this life-changing pandemic, the economic security, health, and safety of AGMA members have been top of mind. Since June of 2020, AGMA and SDC have engaged the services of an expert medical advisory panel to assist with COVID-19 safety planning and ensure that both of the Unions' members are protected in the workplace. This successful collaboration led to the publication of the acclaimed AGMA/SDC Return Stage and Performing Arts Playbook (now in its fourth revision) and a number of Updates and Guidances. The Playbook was initially intended as an internal tool for AGMA, SDC, and our signatory companies, but the Unions made it widely available to the industry at large in August of 2020, stating that “we are all in t... Read More -->

Interview conducted by AGMA’s Director of Communications Alicia Cook. Published on page 16 of the Fall 2021 issue of AGMAzine. Following an “intermission” that went on for what seemed like an eternity, opening night of the 2021–22 Met season optimistically arrived. Coming back from the shutdown notwithstanding, opening night was a historic occasion—it marked The Met's first performance of an opera by a Black composer and Black director. The Met reopened its curtains with Terence Blanchard’s Fire Shut Up in My Bones. “Fire,” for short. AGMA members Kenneth Floyd, Chorister, and Jōvan Dansberry, Dancer, were both featured in the production. “I have long admired and followed Mr. Blanchard’s career via his fil... Read More -->

Workers at the Center for American Progress are considering going on strike amid a fight over salaries. AGMA stands with the workers in their effort to secure fair wages. Learn more. ... Read More -->