Broadway Actors Prepare for Potential Strike Amid Contract Negotiations

As of October 1st, 2025, Broadway actors are on the verge of a potential strike as the Actors' Equity union has not yet reached an agreement with producers on a new contract. The union's current three-year contract expired on September 28th, and negotiations have been ongoing since August 25th.

The main sticking point in the negotiations is healthcare contributions. Actors' Equity is asking for about a $4 million increase in contributions from producers, as healthcare costs continue to rise. The union has already voted to authorize a strike, which could shut down dozens of Broadway productions if it were to come to fruition.

In a show of solidarity, more than 1,000 Broadway actors, including well-known names like Darren Criss, Sean Astin, and Alec Baldwin, have signed a letter supporting Equity's demands. The letter calls on producers to "meet this moment" and join the union in building an agreement that reflects "respect, dignity, and care" for the workers.

While a strike would be the first major action by Actors' Equity on Broadway since 1968, the union maintains that it is a "last resort." Negotiations are set to continue, with the next session scheduled for October 8th and two days of mediation planned for next week. Both sides have expressed a desire to reach a fair agreement through good-faith negotiations.