Broadway casting directors and the Broadway League have made “significant progress” toward a settlement in the lawsuit concerning the unionization of the casting directors.
In a letter filed Monday with the Southern District Court of New York, lawyers for both parties wrote that they had participated in a court-ordered mediation session on May 30, and had submitted multiple versions of a “term sheet,” which would lay out conditions of a settlement. Both parties asked to continue a stay of discovery until June 21 and to extend the deadline on the defendants’ motion to dismiss as they continue to work toward a settlement.
“The parties have made significant progress through these efforts and have reduced the number and scope of unresolved issues. However, as yet, the parties have not yet reached agreement on resolution,” the letter reads.
The Broadway League originally filed suit in December 2016 against seven Broadway casting offices, alleging that they had violated antitrust laws by aligning themselves with the union Teamsters Local 817. Casting directors have said they joined the union to receive health and pension benefits.
The League has thus far refused to recognize casting directors as part of that union and has further alleged that the casting directors had banded together to collectively raise fees charged to producers.
The two parties have a second mediation session scheduled for June 14, 2018.
