Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC) and the Broadway League have ratified and enacted a new contract. The contract between the union which represents professional directors and choreographers working in theater throughout the United States (SDC) and the national trade association for the Broadway industry (the League) includes coverage for associate directors and choreographers — a first for the union.
The new agreement, the result of years-long efforts to unionize associates, was ratified on Dec. 26, 2023, and put into effect on Jan. 1, 2024. It includes coverage for associate directors and choreographers working not only on Broadway productions but also national tours and Broadway productions in the British Isles.
The four-year contract also includes increased compensation and benefits for directors and choreographers, in addition to employer healthcare and pension contributions for associates. New compensation structures have been established for union members billed in a program as co-director or co-choreographer, as well as new terms for work in the British Isles and a further commitment to non-discrimination and anti-harassment.
“These talks have resulted in an agreement that we believe meets the needs of both parties,” said Laura Penn, executive director for SDC, in a statement. “Associates play an increasingly vital role in the life of a Broadway show and SDC has worked to make certain that these collaborators receive full recognition for their contributions. That the League was able to find a way to meet our needs is significant.”
“The Broadway League is pleased to have reached an agreement with SDC that achieves meaningful gains for our producing members and acknowledges the evolving needs of our Broadway and touring productions,” agreed League president Charlotte St. Martin in a statement. “The agreement, which has significant improvements for both producers and creatives, is a reflection of the strong relationship between the parties.”
Both SDC and the League recently elected several new members to their respective executive boards, in addition to a few key leadership positions.
