The Stage Directors and Choreographers Society has reached an agreement with the Broadway League on a new four-year contract that covers associate directors and choreographers for the first time.
The contract applies to directors and choreographers working on Broadway and on Broadway League tours in North America and the British Isles. SDC had been working to bring associate directors and choreographers, who had been one of the rare non-unionized groups on Broadway, under their umbrella for several years.
The League granted voluntary union recognition of the associate directors and choreographers, whose duties can include leading rehearsals for understudies and swings, taking over long-running shows and helping launch other productions. In February 2022, the two parties were working to finalize an interim agreement to cover the associates, ahead of negotiating the longer-term agreement.
The new agreement includes health and pension benefit contributions for the associates, as well as increases in compensation and benefits for directors and choreographers. It also includes new compensation structures for co-directors and co-choreographers, new terms for recognized activity in the British Isles and language speaking to both parties’ commitment to non-discrimination and anti-harassment.
“These talks have resulted in an agreement that we believe meets the needs of both parties,” said SDC executive director Laura Penn. “Notably SDC has secured coverage for associate directors and choreographers on Broadway and on tours. 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,” said Charlotte St. Martin, president of The Broadway League. “The agreement, which has significant improvements for both producers and creatives, is a reflection of the strong relationship between the parties.”
SDC’s executive board ratified the contract terms on Dec. 26, 2023. The contract went into effect on Jan. 1.
