Crew of Off-Broadway's Little Shop of Horrors Secures 1st Union Contract | Playbill

Industry News Crew of Off-Broadway's Little Shop of Horrors Secures 1st Union Contract

The new agreement includes wage increases and contributions to healthcare and retirement plans.

Nicholas Christopher in Little Shop of Horrors Emilio Madrid

The production team behind the hit revival of Little Shop of Horrors, which continues Off-Broadway at the Westside Theatre, has secured its first union contract with the backing of The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees.

The crew—which comprises eight workers from carpentry, props, lighting, audio, wardrobe, and hair/makeup departments—voted unanimously January 22 to ratify the new contract. The agreement delivers improvements to working conditions, including wage increases and contributions to healthcare and retirement plans.

The unionization of backstage workers at Little Shop is part of a larger trend Off-Broadway, one that may well change the landscape of that industry. Prior to last year, the vast majority of Off-Broadway backstage work was non-union. In spring 2024, unionization efforts were launched across numerous Off-Broadway theatres and productions, including The Public Theater and the Atlantic Theater (workers at the latter are currently on strike).

The Little Shop crew becomes the second in the series of newly organized Off-Broadway groups to ratify a union agreement, after Off-Broadway's Titanique.

“In an often-unpredictable industry, having union representation means having more career sustainability that goes beyond just this production,” said hair and makeup department member Kyle Brown in a statement. “I’m looking forward to having benefits and pay that reward and match my love for this show and career.”

“Union representation means a sense of security. It’s an organization with like-minded people who want to build better workplaces together,” added Mike Ekelburg, an audio department member. “Knowing that I have a union to support me is a level of career security and advancement that is comforting beyond any previous non-union work I’ve had in the past."

 
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